GBA to Launch Safe Footpath Campaign Across Five City Corporations from July 1

The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) will launch the Safe Footpath Campaign across its five city corporations from July 1 to remove encroachments from footpaths while ensuring compliance with Supreme Court directions and the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act.

Key Details:

• GBA Minister Krishna Byre Gowda directed officials to implement a comprehensive, phased plan for clearing footpath encroachments.

• Authorities must first identify roads where the campaign will begin, conduct public awareness programmes, issue notices, and then take action in accordance with the law.

• The enforcement drive will involve coordinated efforts by municipal officials, health officers responsible for trade licences, police personnel, and dedicated encroachment removal teams.

• Officials have been instructed to notify major arterial and sub-arterial roads as Non-Vending Zones.

• Of Bengaluru’s approximately 15,000 km road network, around 1,500 km is proposed to be designated as Non-Vending Zones.

• Street vendors will continue to be allowed to operate on roads outside the notified Non-Vending Zones, provided they do not obstruct public movement.

• The government has also directed city corporations to undertake simultaneous repairs of footpaths, including damaged slabs, kerbs, and other civil works, wherever encroachment removal is carried out.

• Public awareness campaigns will be conducted before enforcement begins, informing residents and business owners that failure to voluntarily remove encroachments may lead to removal by the corporation and penalties under applicable laws.