K’taka govt to continue encroachment drive across all Bengaluru Corporations: Shivakumar

Bengaluru, July 10 (IANS) Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said on Friday that an organised mafia is behind the widespread footpath encroachments in Bengaluru, as he announced that the ongoing clearance drive will be extended to all five city corporations under the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and revealed that nearly 9,900 encroachments have already been removed since July 1.

After inspecting the ongoing footpath encroachment removal drive at various locations in Bengaluru, along with the Minister for Bengaluru Development, Krishna Byre Gowda, the Chief Minister interacted with the media near Ashoka Pillar in Jayanagar.

The Chief Minister said that from July 1 till now, encroachments have been cleared from 435 km of footpaths, with a total of 9,878 encroachments removed. He added that the operation will continue across all five city corporations.

Providing details of the drive, he said authorities had cleared 1,340 permanent shops and around 1,800 pushcarts, while allowing vendors to take away their carts voluntarily.

He said 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 Chief Minister said the debris generated during the operation is being cleared, and damaged footpaths are also being repaired simultaneously.

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.

Shivakumar said street vendors are their own people and there is no need for them to panic. He added that whether it is government or private land, no one can conduct business by encroaching on public spaces. At the same time, he said the state government wants street vendors to earn a livelihood and will provide them with suitable alternatives.

Shivakumar said the state government had earlier issued identity cards to street vendors, but the court had stayed the process.

He said they will restart the process of issuing identity cards, and designated vending zones will be established where street vendors will be allowed to conduct their business.

The Chief Minister alleged that an organised mafia was operating behind the encroachments.

He said there will always be criticism, but they are prepared to face it for the sake of improving Bengaluru. He added that a large mafia is involved in these encroachments and they have information that rowdy elements have been extorting money from street vendors.

He said they have given the police and officials of the Greater Bengaluru Authority complete freedom to act, and their goal is to make Bengaluru clean, with the entire country watching the city.

Highlighting the need to keep footpaths free for pedestrians, Shivakumar said more than 900 pedestrians had lost their lives in Bengaluru over the past three years.

He said this exercise is being carried out for the convenience and safety of citizens, not for their personal benefit, and that if there are no usable footpaths, pedestrians are forced to walk on roads, which creates risks for them and disrupts traffic.

Responding to criticism that the state government had not created alternative spaces for street vendors, the Chief Minister said suitable locations would be identified where vendors could conduct business without inconveniencing the public.

Shivakumar said they will identify places where there is no obstruction to pedestrians or traffic, and where vendors can conduct business. He added that they can come in the morning and leave in the evening, but cannot occupy busy roads or areas in front of private properties.

When asked why the underground market at Vijayanagar had not attracted street vendors despite being developed as an alternative, 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 said a decision would be taken soon.

He said half the building has already been constructed, and the remaining work will be completed shortly. He added that they will execute the project under an appropriate scheme to protect public assets and ensure better civic amenities for citizens.

–IANS

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