Government clears 141 kilometers of encroached Bengaluru footpaths

Authorities in Bengaluru have cleared 141 kilometers of encroached footpaths during the first two days of the 'Safe Footpath Campaign'. The clearance drive follows a three-month notice period, a decision finalized during an all-party meeting on March 20 to address pedestrian safety on the city's busiest roads.

Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda addressed allegations that street vendors were evicted without prior notice. He clarified that a three-month warning had indeed been issued to those affected. To support this, the minister shared a media byte from Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on March 20, when Shivakumar held the Bengaluru Development portfolio, announcing that arterial and sub-arterial roads would be cleared of all encroachments.

The decision to clear the pathways was unanimously supported by all local Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and Members of Parliament (MPs) across political parties during the March meeting. Minister Byre Gowda stated that the resolution was passed with all present raising their hands in support, following consultations between the government, elected representatives, and civic officials.

The campaign currently targets approximately 20 percent of Bengaluru’s arterial and sub-arterial road network, which experiences the highest volume of pedestrian traffic. Commercial activity and street vending are still permitted to continue on the remaining roads in accordance with the law.

Byre Gowda emphasized that pedestrian safety remains the government’s foremost priority. He noted that hundreds of pedestrians lose their lives in road accidents every year because blocked or unusable footpaths force them to walk on active carriageways.

According to the minister, the objective of the campaign is not to affect livelihoods but to ensure that every citizen can walk safely. The initiative is being implemented in accordance with directions from the Supreme Court of India.