Bengaluru neighbourhood improvement plan to build better infrastructure for walkers, cyclists

BENGALURU: The city's first socalled neighbourhood improvement plan in Sanjaynagar -to provide better infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists -is set to get an extension almost doubling the project size.

The Department of Urban Road Land Transport had originally planned this TenderSURE-like project for a 1.7-km stretch between Radhakrishna Temple Road in Sanjaynagar and Outer Ring Road. The municipal administration, BBMP, which is the implementing authority , directed DULT to extend the project by another 1.5 km covering Sanjayanagar main road.

“The project is now 3.2 km from Radhakrishna Temple Road to Outer Ring Road and Ballari Road (connecting from Sanjaynagar),“ DULT Commissioner Darpan Jain said.

BBMP is likely to issue tenders for the project shortly, he said.

Similar to the TenderSURE project being implemented along sev eral key city roads, the neighbourhood improvement plan will seek to remove clutter, providing organised pedestrian walkways and cycling lanes as well as identifying areas for vendors and parking.

Sanjaynagar residents had campaigned for the project to be implemented in their area, beginning with a cycle day and later a walk-to school initiative, both of which were widely accepted by the residents, said Vignan Gowda, a resident.

“There is no uniform carriage in Sanjaynagar,“ said Sathya Sankaran, a resident of Sanjaynagar and a member of the Citizens for Sustainability group.