Krishna Byre Gowda Sets August 30 Deadline to Clear Footpaths Across Bengaluru

Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda on Wednesday, August 19, set an August 30 deadline for officials to clear all remaining footpath encroachments across the city, while also ordering the Bangalore Development Authority to conduct a dedicated cleanliness drive around Hebbal Junction.

The directive was issued during a review meeting where the Minister instructed officials to step up enforcement against repeat offenders and begin simultaneous repairs on footpaths wherever encroachments have already been removed.

The August 30 deadline applies across three major civic initiatives: the footpath clearance drive, the 'Freedom from Waste' campaign, and the removal of abandoned vehicles from public spaces. The clearance drive covers nearly 1,500 km of arterial and sub-arterial roads within Greater Bengaluru Authority limits. The Minister stated that encroachments along 964 km of footpaths have been removed so far.

Addressing complaints that vendors have returned to cleared stretches to resume business, Mr. Gowda instructed officials to seize the materials of repeat offenders and impose double penalties. He called for continuous monitoring of cleared stretches and noted that a joint meeting between civic and police officials will be organized to strengthen enforcement and prevent cleared footpaths from being reoccupied.

Under the waste management initiative, the city's five municipal corporations have identified 1,02,002 tonnes of construction and demolition waste across 4,483 locations. Of that total, 43,492 tonnes have been removed from 1,810 locations. The Minister directed officials to intensify both the removal process and subsequent monitoring to keep sites clear.

Regarding abandoned vehicles, the Minister instructed the corporations to delegate notice-issuing responsibilities to Junior Health Inspectors, civic workers' supervisors, and marshals.

Mr. Gowda stated that once the three drives conclude, the GBA will establish a reporting mechanism for citizens to flag remaining civic issues, warning that officials will be held strictly accountable for any lapses or ineffective implementation.