GBA to re-enumerate street vendors, implement act through provisional TVCs

Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda on Thursday (July 9, 2026) directed corporation officials to conduct a fresh survey of street vendors in the city following complaints of undercounting during the previous survey.

Mr. Gowda made the announcement during a meeting with representatives of street vendors’ associations following the city-wide strike by street vendors on Wednesday (July 8, 2026). He acknowledged the complaints that the previous survey had enumerated only a little over 30,000 street vendors, while the actual number exceeds 80,000.

“I have directed the officials to conduct another survey and take up works through provisional Town Vending Committees (TVCs) to ensure the welfare of street vendors. I have also directed them to identify vending zones,” he said. “I have also asked the corporations to issue new identity cards in line with the court order,” he added.

Mr. Gowda said that the Street Vendors Act would be implemented effectively to ensure the welfare of vendors and said the government is committed to the cause.

Not targeting anyone

Responding to mounting complaints about targeting street vendors, Mr. Gowda said they are only trying to reform the city. He stressed that if the city chokes, no one can live here, irrespective of whether they are poor or rich.

He noted that 2,285 advertisement hoardings abutting footpaths have been removed, 1,581 steps encroaching on footpaths have been dismantled, and 1,791 other types of encroachments on footpaths have been cleared.

“We have acted against all such violations, and there is no vested interest. We are following the Supreme Court’s directions and improving pedestrian infrastructure,” he said.

He reiterated that only 10% of the footpath space has been cleared, and the remaining space is available for vendors to relocate their businesses. Countering the argument that businesses would be affected if they moved to interior roads, Mr. Gowda questioned whether it was right to consider only businesses.

He further noted that in the last three years, 935 pedestrians have died, 3,601 fatal accidents have occurred, and 3,800 people have been injured and it is high time the city underwent reforms.

Vehicle clearance

As the next stage of clearing footpath obstacles, Mr. Gowda said the removal of abandoned vehicles from footpaths will begin on July 10. On Wednesday, the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) announced that it would also auction abandoned vehicles through the available legal channels.

Mr. Gowda reiterated that the government would continue the drive to improve footpath infrastructure across the city.