Declare 1,500 km of arterial and subarterial roads non-vending zones: Krishna Byre Gowda

Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda directed civic officials to declare at least 1,500 km of arterial and sub-arterial roads in the city as non-vending zones before starting the Safe Footpath campaign from July 1.

“The road network in Bengaluru is close to around 15,000 km long. Of that, at least 1,500 km of arterial and sub-arterial roads have to be declared non-vending zones. In the remaining roads, street vendors can hawk their wares without causing inconvenience to the public,” he said, speaking at a meeting he chaired to review preparations for the Safe Footpath campaign.

He instructed officials to follow the recent Supreme Court order — which said walking on a safe footpath was a right of the people — and the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014. “Prepare a list of roads where the drive has to be conducted, create awareness among shops and vendors in these areas, serve them notices and then move ahead for clearing encroachments if they do not budge,” he said. 

Meanwhile, the Karnataka Progressive Street Vendors Association has alleged that, despite no official order from the government, Greater Bengaluru Authority officials are threatening to evict street vendors based on the statement by the Bengaluru Urban Development Minister.

“We welcome the concern expressed by Mr. Gowda regarding the safety and proper use of the city’s footpaths. Clean, wide, safe, and usable footpaths are definitely necessary. But in reality, we want wider footpaths, which will be helpful to pedestrians and us. But even before any official order has been issued, the authorities are threatening to evict us,” they stated Monday.

“We are legitimate users of public space as envisaged under the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014,” they asserted.