A month after Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) launched its high-profile ‘Safe Footpaths’ campaign, many of the city’s reclaimed pedestrian spaces are once again slipping back into the hands of encroachers.The clearance drives, spearheaded by Bengaluru development minister Krishna Byre Gowda, had rid footpaths along nearly 850km of roads across the city of illegal shopfront extensions, food carts, street vendors, and other obstructions, promising pedestrians uninterrupted walking space. But the reprieve appears to have been short-lived.A reality check by The Times of India at six locations where GBA had carried out clearance operations found a familiar pattern emerging: stalls have returned, shopfronts have crept back onto pavements, and commercial activity is once again occupying pedestrian space, forcing people to walk on busy roads.The Safe Footpaths initiative was launched with the promise of making Bengaluru more walkable by keeping footpaths permanently free of obstructions in the backdrop of a Supreme Court directive on prioritising pedestrian safety. While the initial enforcement won praise from residents, the absence of sustained monitoring and follow-up action by civic officials and police personnel has allowed encroachments to quietly return.“We’ve managed everyone, including police; the only difference is that we have to pay more hafta to continue our business,” said a Donne Biryani seller in Chandra Layout area.Residents across the city want Byre Gowda to conduct surprise checks on pavements already cleared of encroachments and initiate action against officials who have turned a blind eye to the menace.Gandhi BazaarGandhi Bazaar was among the areas where footpaths and vending activities were reorganised as part of a redevelopment project aimed at accommodating both vendors and pedestrians. While vendors have designated spaces, residents allege that their numbers exceed the permitted limit and that many operate beyond the demarcated zones. They claim several vendors who were shifted during the Safe Footpaths drive have returned, while food trucks parked on footpaths continue to obstruct pedestrian movement.ITPL Main RoadThe Hoodi–ITPL Junction stretch, one of Bengaluru’s most congested corridors, has seen several food carts and other encroachments return despite repeated clearance efforts. Wide footpaths built along the road are once again occupied by food vendors, banners, garbage and debris at multiple locations. Food carts also attract cabs, autorickshaws and two-wheelers that stop or park along the road, worsening congestion. Although not all vendors have returned, residents say a majority of those removed during the drive have resumed operations, leaving pedestrians with little usable footpath space.BasaveshwaranagarResidents of Basaveshwaranagar have flagged the return of fast-food carts on the main road, with vendors occupying portions of the footpath for business. Large flex banners have emerged as another obstacle, while vendors also place tables and chairs on the pavement for customers, leaving little room for pedestrians and defeating the purpose of the clearance exercise.Vidyaranyapura Main RoadA few shopfront extensions, canopies and access ramps were demolished on Vidyaranyapura Main Road, from Nanjappa Circle towards 1st Block, during the clearance drive. However, many shops have continued to place merchandise on the cleared portions, making parts of the footpath inaccessible. Street vendors have also occupied stretches of the pavement, while some park carts and vehicles loaded with goods on the same sections that were cleared earlier.Dinnur Main Road, RT NagarOn Dinnur Main Road, authorities had removed several shopfront extensions and relocated footpath vendors selling items such as sugarcane juice and tender coconut water. Residents say many have gradually returned. At several spots, vendors have once again occupied large portions of the pavement. Several two-wheelers continue to be parked on footpaths, leaving little room for pedestrians and forcing them onto the narrow, busy road.JC NagarThe wide footpath opposite the Parachute Regiment Training Centre gate in JC Nagar is once again occupied by vendors selling vegetables, greens and other items. While some leave limited space for pedestrians, others have spread their wares across most of the pavement. Nearby, vendor carts are parked on the footpath, rendering it unusable for walkers. Several two-wheeler garages along the road also use the footpaths to park and repair vehicles, while mechanics keep items such as tyres on the pavement.
