Bengaluru Launches 'Safe Footpath' Campaign to Clear Encroachments, Relocate Vendors
The Greater Bengaluru Authority, with Bengaluru Traffic Police, launched a 10-day 'Safe Footpath' campaign on July 1, 2026, clearing 1,500-2,000 km of roads of encroachments like street vendors, shops, and debris to improve pedestrian safety, citing a Supreme Court ruling. The government plans to relocate vendors to designated vending zones and conduct a fresh survey after undercounting complaints. The campaign has removed hundreds of obstructions, with follow-up drives planned.
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Karnataka Chief Minister Shivakumar Defends Footpath Clearance Drive, Alleges 'Big Mafia' Behind Encroachments
Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar defended the government's ongoing footpath clearance drive in Bengaluru, which has faced criticism for evicting hundreds of street vendors. During his first city-wide inspection since assuming office, he stated that the drive is necessary for pedestrian safety, citing over 900 pedestrian deaths in the last three years. Shivakumar claimed a 'big mafia' is operating behind the encroachments, involving rowdies extorting money from traders. He emphasized that the government is not against street vendors but will not permit vending on main roads, citing Supreme Court directions. The drive has so far cleared 9,878 encroachments from over 435 km of footpaths. Shivakumar said designated vending zones will be identified and identity cards reissued to vendors after a court stay is resolved.
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Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar stated on July 10, 2026, that some footpath vendors in Bengaluru may face tough consequences as the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) continues its 'Safe Footpath' campaign to clear encroachments. Speaking in Belagavi, he assured that evicted vendors would be given alternative spaces but cannot claim ownership, and must operate on a daily basis with pushcarts. The campaign, launched on July 1, targets shop extensions, pushcarts, and temporary structures obstructing footpaths. Shivakumar noted that an all-party meeting had previously decided on evictions, and a survey identified around 60,000 vendors, some of whom have begun registering for identity cards. He also denied pressure for cabinet expansion and said he would look into the RSS route march permission issue in Belagavi.
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Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar announced that street vendors removed from major roads during Bengaluru's 'Safe Footpath' campaign will be accommodated in designated vending zones. The campaign, now in its second day, targets shops, pushcarts, temporary sheds, advertisement boards, ramps, construction debris, and other obstructions occupying pedestrian space. Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda emphasized the exercise aims to relocate vendors from arterial and sub-arterial roads to ward roads, not evict them. The East City Corporation cleared 8.8 km of footpaths, Central City Corporation removed encroachments along 8.55 km covering 11 roads, and Bengaluru North City Corporation cleared 12.7 km, removing 25 shops, 124 pushcarts, 59 canopies, 130 unauthorized advertisement boards, four temporary structures, and 18 tonnes of debris. The CM noted about 37,000 vendors applied for vendor carts and 60,000 for vending machines, with ₹50-60 crore allocated for subsidies. Additional campaigns starting July 10 will target abandoned vehicles, and after July 15, construction debris and overgrown vegetation.
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Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda announced a fresh survey of street vendors in Bengaluru after complaints that the previous survey undercounted them, recording only a little over 30,000 instead of the estimated 80,000. The announcement followed a city-wide strike by street vendors on July 8, 2026. Gowda directed officials to conduct the new survey and work through provisional Town Vending Committees (TVCs) to identify vending zones and issue new identity cards per court orders. He emphasized the government's commitment to implementing the Street Vendors Act effectively. Gowda also defended ongoing footpath clearance drives, noting that 2,285 advertisement hoardings, 1,581 encroaching steps, and 1,791 other encroachments have been removed. He cited Supreme Court directions and pedestrian safety concerns, revealing that 935 pedestrians died and 3,800 were injured in the last three years. Starting July 10, abandoned vehicles on footpaths will also be removed and auctioned.
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Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar announced that street vendors removed from major roads during Bengaluru's 'Safe Footpath' campaign will be relocated to designated vending zones. The campaign, now in its second day, targets shops, pushcarts, temporary sheds, and other obstructions occupying pedestrian space. Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda emphasized the exercise aims at relocation, not eviction. The government has received 37,000 applications for vendor carts and 60,000 for vending machines, requiring ₹50-60 crore in funding with subsidies for the needy. The East City Corporation cleared 8.8 km of footpaths, Central City Corporation cleared 8.55 km across 11 roads, and North City Corporation cleared 12.7 km, removing 25 shops, 124 pushcarts, and 18 tonnes of debris. Additional campaigns are planned: abandoned vehicle removal from July 10 and construction debris/vegetation clearance after July 15.
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On July 1, 2026, the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), along with the Bengaluru Traffic Police, initiated a city-wide 'Safe Footpath' campaign to clear encroachments from footpaths on key arterial and sub-arterial roads. The drive began at 10 a.m. and is scheduled to continue until July 10. During the morning hours, it covered multiple constituencies across Bengaluru. Specific stretches were identified for clearing in areas including Govindaraj Nagar, Vijayanagar, Malleswaram (1.5-km on Sampige Road), Rajajinagar, Basavanagudi, Yediyur division, Bengaluru South (including Dr. Vishnuvardhan Road and 80 Feet Road), Padmanabhanagar, Jayanagar, and BTM Layout (including 14th Main Road and 7th Main Road). The campaign aims to reclaim pedestrian space from encroachments such as street vendors and other obstructions.
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The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), in coordination with the Bengaluru Traffic Police, will roll out a 'Safe Footpath Campaign' from July 1 to 10 across a 2,000-km road network in Bengaluru. The campaign aims to clear encroachments from footpaths to improve pedestrian safety. Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda stated that the drive is not intended to displace street vendors, but restrictions will apply on about 20% of major roads where pedestrian movement is severely affected. Corporation officials have identified roads and warned vendors. The campaign follows a Supreme Court declaration that the right to walk on footpaths is a fundamental right. Greenpeace India's Bengaluru Rising campaign has marked broken and encroached footpaths with yellow 'crime scene' tape, highlighting the denial of this constitutional right. Activists demand a comprehensive approach to address infrastructure failures such as poorly placed utility boxes and construction debris.
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Karnataka's Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda has directed civic officials to declare at least 1,500 km of arterial and sub-arterial roads in Bengaluru as non-vending zones ahead of the 'Safe Footpath' campaign starting July 1. He cited a recent Supreme Court order affirming the right to safe footpaths and the Street Vendors Act of 2014, instructing officials to prepare a list of roads, create awareness, serve notices, and clear encroachments if necessary. Meanwhile, the Karnataka Progressive Street Vendors Association has alleged that, despite no official government order, Greater Bengaluru Authority officials are threatening to evict street vendors based solely on the minister's statement. The association welcomes the focus on footpath safety but insists they are legitimate users of public space under the Street Vendors Act and calls for wider footpaths beneficial to both pedestrians and vendors.
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