IPL 2025: Railing along Cubbon Road in Bengaluru inconvenience to pedestrians

The railing was put up by the Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP) near Chinnaswamy Stadium after securing permission from the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). 
| Photo Credit: K BHAGYA PRAKASH

The railing installed along the footpath at Cubbon Road for the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been inconveniencing the pedestrians using this road. The railing was put up recently by the Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP) after securing permission from the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). 

The railing was erected by the police for the safety of cricket enthusiasts who stand in queue to enter the stadium during the IPL matches at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. The stadium has hosted two IPL matches since the start of this season. The entire footpath that runs along the road has been barricaded with railing to ensure match goers do not walk on the road leading to traffic congestion. 

However, this is now causing problems for regular pedestrians, especially those crossing the road from Cubbon Park Metro Station (HAL exit). The pedestrians are now unable to step onto the footpath as the railing stands as an obstruction.

Railing erected on the footpath around Chinnaswamy for crowd control during IPL cricket matches, in Bengaluru.
| Photo Credit:
K BHAGYA PRAKASH

James P., a pedestrian talking to The Hindu, said he and his friends had to walk along the rail, on the edge of the road carefully amidst dense traffic. There is a danger of walkers getting hit by the vehicles commuting on the road. 

Ramesh, who operates an auto near the metro station, said that after railing was placed, many are struggling to walk on the footpath. The railing leaves no space for pedestrians to enter after crossing the road. 

A senior BBMP official said the BTP, after depositing ₹8 lakh demand draft, had secured permission to install the railing, but the BBMP is unaware that this has resulted in inconvenience to the pedestrians. The BBMP will inspect the place and do necessary arrangements to resolve the problem, the official added.