Judicial Layout Residents Demand Removal of BESCOM Transformers Blocking Footpaths

Residents of Judicial Layout in Bengaluru are demanding the immediate removal of electrical transformers and ring main units (RMUs) that continue to block local footpaths. Despite a Karnataka High Court directive issued on February 15, 2024, instructing the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) to clear pedestrian pathways, multiple installations remain on the layout's walkways, posing safety hazards particularly to the neighborhood's high population of elderly residents.

Judicial Layout is home to a large number of retired judicial officers, with retired judges making up nearly 70 percent of its residency. The ongoing encroachment has left residents frustrated, as multiple complaints lodged with BESCOM and Bengaluru North City Corporation (BNCC) officials have reportedly yielded little action.

D Krishnappa, President of the Retired Judges & Officers’ Association in Judicial Layout, confirmed he has raised the issue directly with BESCOM engineers. Krishnappa expressed concern over a specific transformer allegedly installed on a public footpath to serve a private residential apartment complex, suggesting potential collusion between local authorities and the builder.

In addition to the electrical infrastructure, residents have raised concerns over some homeowners converting public footpaths into private gardens and fences. Pandu Kumar, the former president of the Senior Citizens’ Forum, called on BNCC engineers to clear both the electrical transformers and the encroaching front gardens without delay to ensure safe passage for pedestrians.

The Karnataka High Court's February 15, 2024, order explicitly directed BESCOM to ensure that electrical transformers are not installed in a manner that harms pedestrians or hinders traffic. The court ruled that BESCOM must seek the best technical advice to guarantee free passage on public roads and footpaths.

Responding to the complaints, the BNCC Executive Engineer for Yelahanka stated that all footpath encroachments along the main roads of Judicial Layout have already been cleared. The engineer promised to investigate the remaining complaints regarding encroachments on the layout's cross roads.

Meanwhile, the BESCOM Executive Engineer for Hebbal maintained that all electrical transformers in the area had already been relocated or replaced with pole-mounted units. However, following the residents' complaints, the executive engineer stated that a subordinate officer would be deputed to Judicial Layout to conduct a spot inspection.