High Court Directs Karnataka to Form Street Vending Panels for Gandhi Bazaar

The Karnataka High Court has directed the State government to explore the possibility of constituting Street Vending Committees at the earliest to regulate footpaths across the city. The direction was issued while the court was disposing of a petition regarding alleged footpath encroachments on Gandhi Bazar Main Road in Basavanagudi.

The petition was filed by L Gundu Rao, who raised concerns over the occupation and obstruction of pedestrian footpaths along the prominent commercial stretch in Basavanagudi.

During the proceedings, the High Court Bench took note of an undertaking submitted by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). The civic body stated that it would maintain the height of platforms designated for street vendors at approximately 150 mm.

The Bench further observed that protective structures installed over the vending platforms must remain lightweight. The court specified that these overhead structures should resemble umbrellas and be designed so that they can be easily removed, rather than turning into fixed fixtures.

The High Court also took note of another related petition concerning the same stretch of Gandhi Bazar Main Road. In that matter, a local business owner had approached the court alleging that permanent structures were being permitted in front of commercial premises, thereby obstructing access to shops and businesses.

Addressing these grievances, the court directed the BBMP to remove signboards and display boards placed on pedestrian pathways. The civic authority was instructed to strictly ensure that no permanent structures are erected on platforms allocated for street vendors.

To establish a systematic framework for street vendors and safeguard pedestrian pathways, the High Court instructed the State government to examine the constitution of dedicated Street Vending Committees without delay.