The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) has launched a city-wide footpath clearance drive to reclaim pavements from encroachments, drawing appreciation from many pedestrians while triggering protests from street vendors who say the exercise is affecting their livelihoods.

The ‘Safe Footpath’ campaign, which began on July 1, aims to remove permanent structures, pushcarts, signboards, construction materials and other obstructions from major roads across Bengaluru. The drive is being carried out in coordination with the Bengaluru Traffic Police and is scheduled to continue until July 10.

Citizens welcome walkable footpaths

Many residents have welcomed the initiative, saying years of encroachments had made it difficult and unsafe to walk on city footpaths.

The campaign follows directions issued by Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, who instructed officials to enforce a recent Supreme Court ruling affirming that pedestrians have a fundamental right to safe and unobstructed footpaths. Authorities had earlier warned that encroachments remaining after June 30 would be removed and penalties imposed.

The drive is being conducted across several localities, including Jayanagar, Basavanagudi, Vijayanagar, Malleswaram, Rajajinagar, BTM Layout, Indiranagar, Shivajinagar and Chickpet, among others.

Vendors allege violations

Street vendors, however, have criticised the eviction exercise, alleging that authorities acted without prior notice and in violation of the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014.

Vendor associations claimed that officials removed pushcarts and seized goods without first conducting surveys or providing alternative vending spaces, as required under the law. Many said vending is their only source of income and called on the government to hold discussions before continuing the drive.

While some vendors returned to their usual locations within hours of the eviction, civic authorities have maintained that the campaign is necessary to restore public spaces and improve pedestrian safety.