Coalition urges CM Siddaramaiah to halt street vendor evictions in Bengaluru
A coalition of more than 30 civil society organisations, workers' unions, researchers, and activists has urged Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to immediately halt blanket eviction drives against street vendors in Bengaluru.
The group demanded the full implementation of the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014, to protect the livelihoods of thousands of vendors across the city.
In a letter addressed to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the signatories argued that Bengaluru’s ongoing push for safer and more accessible streets must not come at the cost of the livelihoods of thousands of local vendors. They emphasized that the right to safe mobility and the right to earn a livelihood must go hand in hand, rather than being treated as conflicting goals.
The coalition stated that street vendors are being unfairly blamed for urban challenges that actually stem from poor street design, inadequate infrastructure, and illegal vehicle parking. Instead of launching eviction drives, the group urged the state government to focus on widening footpaths, improving pedestrian crossings, enhancing public transport options, and cracking down on illegal vehicle parking.
According to the coalition, the Street Vendors Act of 2014 mandates specific legal procedures that must be followed before any enforcement action is taken. They pointed out that official surveys of vendors must be completed, Town Vending Committees must be properly constituted, vending zones must be identified, and alternative spaces must be provided to the vendors, where necessary, before any evictions or relocations are carried out.
The organisations highlighted that street vendors perform an essential public service by providing affordable goods and services to residents while actively enlivening the city's public spaces.
To address these ongoing issues, the coalition called on the state government to stop all unlawful evictions, strengthen the existing Town Vending Committees, and integrate designated vending zones into future urban redevelopment plans. They also requested that the government consult vendors, unions, and civil society representatives before launching any major enforcement drives.
