Pramesh S Jain
*Minister Krishna Byre Gowda appeals for voluntary removal of encroachments to ensure safe and obstruction-free footpaths.
The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) today launched a large-scale _’Safe Footpaths Campaign’ across all five city corporations to reclaim footpaths from encroachments and ensure safe, uninterrupted movement for pedestrians.
The special drive,undertaken on major arterial and sub-arterial roads,aims to improve pedestrian safety by restoring footpaths as public spaces meant exclusively for walking.
Acting on the directions of Greater Bengaluru Development Minister,Krishna Byre Gowda and under the guidance of Chief Commissioner,Maheshwar Rao, officials from all five city corporations carried out coordinated enforcement operations with police support.
JCBs,tractors and other equipment were deployed to remove all forms of encroachments obstructing pedestrian movement.
The operation covered unauthorised signboards, staircases extending onto footpaths,OFC cables, projections from commercial establishments, construction debris,pushcarts,permanent kiosks, temporary sheds,unauthorised iron structures and other obstructions occupying public walkways.
*Appeal for Voluntary Compliance:
The Government has appealed to shop owners, commercial establishments, private institutions and street vendors across the GBA limits to voluntarily remove encroachments from footpaths.
Officials have cautioned that failure to comply will result in removal of encroachments and legal action as per the provisions of law.
At Madiwala Market,traders were advised to confine their activities within the designated vending areas and ensure proper disposal of waste.
Officials warned that enforcement,including penalties and seizure of materials obstructing footpaths,will commence from next Friday if violations continue.
*Citywide Drive Across All Five Corporations:
The campaign was simultaneously carried out across major roads in all five city corporations, including key stretches in Marathahalli,Varthur,ITPL Main Road,Outer Ring Road,Indiranagar,Jayanagar,Koramangala,HSR Layout,JP Nagar,Yelahanka,Hebbal,Banaswadi, Tumakuru Road,Mysuru Road,Rajajinagar, Govindarajanagar,Bull Temple Road and several other high-footfall locations.
*Campaign to Continue:
The special footpath clearance drive will continue across all five city corporations on a sustained basis.
Civic authorities will also respond promptly to complaints received from citizens and intensify enforcement to ensure that pedestrian pathways remain free from encroachments.
*This must become people’s movement, says Minister:
“Every resident of Bengaluru has the right to use safe and obstruction-free footpaths.I appeal to citizens, traders,commercial establishments and all stakeholders to join hands with the city administration in keeping our footpaths free from encroachments.
This should not remain merely a government campaign; it must become a people’s movement driven by public participation”,said Minister Krishna Byre Gowda.
*Committed to protect livelihood of street vendors:
“The Government remains equally committed to protecting the livelihood of street vendors.Except on approximately 20% of priority arterial roads,vending can continue on other roads, provided pedestrian movement is not obstructed.
I request everyone to cooperate in building a safer,more accessible and pedestrian-friendly Bengaluru”said Minister Krishna Byre Gowda.
