'Harsh but necessary' to make Bengaluru walkable again: Karnataka launches footpath clearance drive, says vendors will be relocated, not removed
Belagavi, July 10
Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday defended the state government's footpath encroachment clearance drive in Bengaluru, saying the objective was to make the city more pedestrian-friendly while ensuring that street vendors were relocated to designated areas instead of being removed.
Speaking in Belagavi, Shivakumar said the decision followed consultations with legislators across party lines and was aimed at addressing traffic congestion and ensuring compliance with Supreme Court directions.
"For the past two days I have been touring Belagavi. When I was Bengaluru minister, I called all MLAs from BJP, JD(S), Congress and discussed street vendors. Everyone agreed unanimously that vendors causing traffic problems should be cleared. Work is going on accordingly," he said.
"We are not saying street vendors should not exist. We will designate side roads and other roads for them. They can do business and go home in the evening with their pushcarts. They cannot put up tents and sit permanently. If someone sets up shop on the main road and puts up a cover, it's not possible," Shivakumar said.
"The Supreme Court has given clear directions to us. We must comply with the court and also listen to public opinion. That's why we are taking this decision. Some decisions may be harsh for a few people going forward, but were necessary in the larger public interest," he added.
Earlier, the Karnataka Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said the government had launched a citywide Footpath Encroachment Clearance Drive and Safe Footpath Campaign to restore footpaths for pedestrians while ensuring a balanced approach that protects the livelihoods of street vendors through a comprehensive Footpath Policy.
According to the CMO, more than 400 kilometres of footpaths have been reclaimed across Bengaluru's five city corporations over the past nine days, improving pedestrian safety, accessibility and urban mobility.
The CMO also said CM Shivakumar would inspect key stretches across the city to review the progress of the campaign and assess the quality of the restored pedestrian infrastructure.
The CMO added that the drive was aimed at improving pedestrian infrastructure and making Bengaluru more accessible for citizens.
In a statement, the CMO said, "In determining the best city, the quality of a city's pedestrian pathways is also crucial among the citizen standards that make it feel citizen-friendly. Protecting pedestrians' rights is the duty of civil society. As per the Supreme Court directive, the ongoing footpath clearance special operation in Bengaluru is a significant step towards safe and smooth traffic. Today, I am conducting site inspections and also participating in the city rounds."
Minister for Bengaluru Development Krishna Byre Gowda said addressing the city's civic issues remained the government's priority.
"The most pressing issues affecting Bengaluru are traffic congestion, pothole-ridden roads, inefficient waste management, and flooding during the monsoon due to waterlogging. My primary goal is to find lasting solutions to these problems and create an environment where the people of Bengaluru can live peacefully, safely, and with a better quality of life," he said.
Meanwhile, BJP Rajya Sabha MP Lahar Singh Siroya welcomed the initiative and praised the state government's move to reclaim footpaths.
"I want to express my appreciation to Bengaluru Development Minister Shri Krishna Byre Gowda for taking the bold step, and progressing with determination, to clear Bengaluru's footpaths from encroachments. Chief Minister Shri D K Shivakumar also needs to be congratulated here for setting clear goals," Siroya said.
He said Bengaluru deserved infrastructure that met global standards while ensuring pedestrian safety.
"As regards street-side vendors who feel displaced, I am sure the administration has a plan that takes care of them and regulates them. The vendor problem apart, almost every prominent Bengaluru street becomes an eat-street in the evenings when people spill out of small and big eateries to footpaths. This too needs to be looked at," he added.
Siroya also welcomed the government's decision to tow away abandoned vehicles and implement Supreme Court directions regarding stray dogs, saying the measures would improve the safety and security of citizens.
— ANI
Reader Comments
I moved to Bengaluru for work two years ago and love the city, but the footpath situation is terrible. In many areas you literally can't walk because of makeshift stalls and parked bikes. It's good they're finally doing something about it. Kudos to DK Shivakumar and Krishna Byre Gowda for taking this tough step. Hope they don't just displace the vendors without proper rehabilitation.
Finally some action! I've been stuck in traffic near KR Market so many times because vendors spill onto the road. But I'm skeptical—they've tried this before and it never lasted. Will they actually maintain the footpaths after clearing them? Also 400 km in 9 days sounds too good to be true. Let's wait and see if this is just election gimmickry or real change. The proof will be in the coming months when we see if the footpaths stay clear.
As someone who lives near Indiranagar, this is much needed. Walking on the road because footpaths are blocked is not safe. But I worry about the small vendors who have been there for years—they're part of Bengaluru's charm. Relocation needs careful planning. Also, what about the eateries that spill onto footpaths in areas like Koramangala and Church Street? Those are equally problematic but I bet they won't be touched because they pay taxes. Let's see if the drive is truly impartial.
All this sounds good but I've been hearing these promises for 20 years. Shivakumar himself was Bengaluru in-charge minister earlier and footpaths were still a mess. The real test will be whether they provide proper alternative spaces with basic amenities like shade, water, and toilets. Also they need to stop parking on footpaths—that's a bigger menace than vendors in some areas. Hope this time it's different. 🤞
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