BLR-152 | Revitalising Bengaluru's Public spaces

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School access zones

BLR-152

58-Kadu Malleshwar Ward

Area / Length:

416 m

Main access road:

6th Main Road

Nominee:

Malleswaram Social

Resident Welfare Association (RWA)

Partner:

Activities:

Exercise (Walking / Jogging / Cycling), Waiting, School pickup and drop

Issues:

Accident prone

Importance of the site

This section of the 6th main is residential, but with 3 schools (including one Montessori). Long ago this whole road was a designated walking zone. But now, with cars parked on both sides, there is very little space left for pedestrians. The footpaths are only ornamental, and there are all kinds of obstructions such as an electric transformer. On top of it, during school opening times, parents drop their kids and the traffic turns chaotic. It is even worse during pickup time, as parents arrive early and wait on 6th main. I have been trying to work with the schools to regulate traffic, and encourage parents to drop the children off on the side roads, and to have more children walk to school. But there has been no progress.

Proposed idea / vision:

With some simple traffic controls, it is possible to make it a much safer road for school children and residents to walk. Restricting parking to one side of 6th main will free up a lot of road space. For the school drop problem, I have suggested making the section between 11th and 13th cross one way (from 11th to 13th) for 30 minutes, and providing a safe walking zone for children. Others can drop their children off at any of the cross roads, like 13th or 15th, and the children can walk the last block. By engaging with the residents , schools, parents of school children and the traffic police, we can solve this problem and make life better for everyone. An even longer term dream is to have 80-90% of school students come to school by walk, which will enormously reduce the traffic, and has many other benefits such as health, community engagement, etc.