Bengaluru, July 1 (IANS) The Karnataka government on Wednesday launched a major drive to remove footpath encroachments across Bengaluru, with Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda asserting that nearly 300 pedestrians lose their lives in road accidents every year after being forced to walk on roads due to encroached footpaths.

Launching the ‘Safe Footpath Campaign,’ the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) began clearing encroachments from pedestrian pathways across the city, starting with a major enforcement drive near Ashoka Pillar.

GBA officials, assisted by personnel, removed shops, signboards and other structures encroaching on footpaths to restore safe access for pedestrians.

Defending the drive, Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said it is being carried out in accordance with the directions of the Supreme Court and in response to repeated demands from Bengaluru residents for safe and accessible footpaths.

“People in Bengaluru are facing immense inconvenience because footpaths have been encroached upon. Every year, around 300 pedestrians die in accidents because they are unable to walk on footpaths and are forced onto the roads, where they are hit by vehicles. It is the moral responsibility of the government and every citizen to prevent these deaths,” the minister said.

He clarified that the government is targeting only a limited portion of the city’s road network.

“Bengaluru has nearly 15,000 kilometres of footpaths. The present exercise covers only about 2,000 kilometres, which is less than 20 per cent of the total. We are removing encroachments only on roads with heavy pedestrian movement,” he said.

Appealing to shop owners and commercial establishments to cooperate, the minister urged them to voluntarily remove encroachments and conduct business within their legally permitted premises.

“Footpaths belong to the people. Conducting business on footpaths is against the law. Similarly, parking cars and two-wheelers on footpaths or using them for commercial purposes is illegal. I request everyone to respect the law,” he said.

Minister Byre Gowda reiterated that the campaign is aimed at reclaiming public spaces for pedestrians rather than targeting businesses.

“The people of Bengaluru are demanding space to walk safely on footpaths. The government is implementing both the people’s demand and the directions of the Supreme Court,” he added.

According to GBA officials, encroachments have been identified at 16 locations across four Assembly constituencies under the GBA Central Zone. The drive is being undertaken at six locations in Shivajinagar, four in Gandhinagar, four in Chickpet and two in Chamarajpet.

The identified stretches include Trinity Junction to M.G. Road and M.G. Park, 100 Feet Road from Indiranagar to Domlur Flyover, Vivekananda Metro Station to Benniganahalli Railway Bridge, Ashoka Pillar to Madhavan Park, 8th Main Road and 9th Main Road in Jayanagar, and R.V. Road from Teachers’ College to South End Circle.

In the GBA North Zone, footpath clearance operations have also commenced on Vidyaranyapura Main Road, Thanisandra Railway Parallel Road, Clark Road in Pulakeshinagar and Banaswadi Main Road in Sarvagnanagar.

Officials said the ‘Safe Footpath Campaign’ will be implemented in phases across Bengaluru with the objective of reclaiming pedestrian pathways, improving road safety and ensuring unobstructed movement for the public. The exercise has triggered strong protests from footpath vendors, who have demanded that the encroachment removal drive be implemented uniformly across the city.

–IANS

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