Bengaluru, July 10 (IANS) Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said on Friday that the drive to clear encroachments on footpaths will continue across all five city corporations under the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), adding that nearly 9,900 encroachments have already been removed since July 1.
“The mafia is involved in these encroachments,” the Chief Minister added.
After inspecting the ongoing footpath encroachment removal drive at various locations in Bengaluru along with Minister for Bengaluru Development Krishna Byre Gowda, Chief Minister Shivakumar interacted with the media near Ashoka Pillar in Jayanagar.
“From July 1 till now, encroachments have been cleared from 435 km of footpaths. A total of 9,878 encroachments have been removed. The operation will continue across all five city corporations,” the Chief Minister said.
Providing details of the drive, he added that authorities had cleared 1,340 permanent shops and around 1,800 pushcarts, while allowing vendors to take away their carts voluntarily.
He said that government officials had also removed 2,267 metal sheets installed in front of commercial establishments, 2,300 unauthorised steps and ramps, 2,662 pillars and signboards, and 2,247 sheds that had encroached upon footpaths.
“The debris generated during the operation is being cleared, and damaged footpaths are also being repaired simultaneously,” Chief Minister Shivakumar added.
Addressing concerns over the eviction of street vendors, the Chief Minister said the state government was committed to protecting their livelihoods while ensuring public convenience.
“Street vendors are our own people. There is no need for them to panic. Whether it is government or private land, no one can conduct business by encroaching on public spaces. At the same time, our (Congress) government wants street vendors to earn a livelihood, and we will provide them with suitable alternatives,” he added.
Shivakumar said the state government had earlier issued identity cards to street vendors, but the process had been stayed by the court.
“We will restart the process of issuing identity cards. Designated vending zones will be identified, and street vendors will be allowed to carry out their business in those locations,” he added.
The Chief Minister alleged that an organised mafia was operating behind the encroachments.
“There will always be criticism, but we are prepared to face it for the sake of improving Bengaluru. A large mafia is involved in these encroachments. We have information that rowdy elements have been extorting money from street vendors. We have given the police and Greater Bengaluru Authority officials complete freedom to act. Our goal is to make Bengaluru clean, and the entire country is watching the city,” he said.
Highlighting the need to keep footpaths free for pedestrians, Shivakumar added that more than 900 pedestrians had lost their lives in Bengaluru over the past three years.
“This exercise is being carried out for the convenience and safety of citizens, not for our personal benefit. If there are no usable footpaths, pedestrians are forced to walk on roads, creating risks for themselves and disrupting traffic movement,” he said.
Responding to criticism that the state government had not created alternative spaces for street vendors, the Chief Minister added that suitable locations would be identified where vendors could carry out business without causing inconvenience to the public.
“We will identify places where there is no obstruction to pedestrians or traffic. Vendors can conduct business there. They can come in the morning and leave in the evening. However, they cannot occupy busy roads or areas in front of private properties,” Shivakumar said.
When asked why the underground market at Vijayanagar had not attracted street vendors despite being developed as an alternative, Chief Minister Shivakumar said the state government would examine the suggestions and consider appropriate measures.
On the long-pending redevelopment of the Jayanagar Market, the Chief Minister added that a decision would be taken soon.
“Half the building has already been constructed, and the remaining work will be completed shortly. We will execute the project under an appropriate scheme. Our objective is to protect public assets while ensuring better civic amenities for citizens,” he said.
–IANS
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