Bengaluru footpath drive: 9,878 encroachments cleared since July 1, says CM Shivakumar
Synopsis
Bengaluru's footpath war just got harder to ignore — 9,878 encroachments cleared in under two weeks, a mafia allegation from the Chief Minister himself, and 900 pedestrian deaths cited as the human cost of doing nothing. The GBA drive is shaping up as the most aggressive civic enforcement push the city has seen in years.
Key Takeaways
9,878 encroachments cleared from 435 km of footpaths across Bengaluru since 1 July 2025 .
Drive covers all five city corporations under the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) .
Structures removed include 1,340 permanent shops , 1,800 pushcarts , 2,267 metal sheets , 2,300 unauthorised ramps , and 2,247 sheds .
Shivakumar alleged an organised mafia is behind the encroachments and said rowdy elements have been extorting street vendors.
State to restart street vendor identity card issuance and identify designated vending zones as alternatives.
More than 900 pedestrians have died in Bengaluru over the past three years , cited as the key safety rationale for the drive.
Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Friday, 11 July 2025, confirmed that the footpath encroachment removal drive will continue across all five city corporations under the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), with 9,878 encroachments already cleared from 435 km of footpaths since 1 July. Speaking to reporters near Ashoka Pillar in Jayanagar, Shivakumar said the operation is aimed at restoring pedestrian safety in a city where more than 900 walkers have died over the past three years due to unusable footpaths.
Scale of the Operation
Authorities have dismantled 1,340 permanent shops and approximately 1,800 pushcarts, while allowing vendors to voluntarily retrieve their carts. The drive has 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 public footpaths. Minister for Bengaluru Development Krishna Byre Gowda accompanied the Chief Minister during inspections at multiple sites across the city.
Mafia Angle and Police Action
Chief Minister Shivakumar alleged that an organised criminal network is operating behind the encroachments. 'A large mafia is involved in these encroachments. We have information that rowdy elements have been extorting money from street vendors. We have given the police and Greater Bengaluru Authority officials complete freedom to act,' he said. He added that the entire country is watching Bengaluru, framing the drive as a matter of civic and national reputation.
Street Vendors: Assurances and Alternatives
Responding to criticism over the displacement of street vendors, Shivakumar said the state government would identify designated vending zones where vendors can operate without obstructing pedestrians or traffic. 'Street vendors are our own people. There is no need for them to panic,' he said, adding that vendors would be permitted to set up in the morning and vacate by evening. He also said the state will restart the process of issuing identity cards to street vendors, which had earlier been stayed by a court order. When asked why the underground market at Vijayanagar had failed to attract vendors despite being developed as an alternative, Shivakumar said the government would examine the issue and consider appropriate measures.
Footpath Repairs and Debris Clearance
The Chief Minister said debris generated during the demolition drive is being cleared simultaneously, and damaged footpaths are being repaired as the operation progresses. He emphasised that pedestrians forced onto roads due to encroached footpaths create risks both for themselves and for traffic movement — a pattern he said had contributed to the high pedestrian fatality count in the city.
Jayanagar Market Redevelopment
On the long-pending redevelopment of the Jayanagar Market, Shivakumar said a decision would be taken soon. 'Half the building has already been constructed, and the remaining work will be completed shortly. We will execute the project under an appropriate scheme,' he said. The drive is expected to continue in the coming weeks, with officials directed to maintain pressure across all five civic bodies under the GBA.
Point of View
000 encroachments in under two weeks — signals political will that has been conspicuously absent in previous administrations. But Shivakumar's mafia allegation raises an uncomfortable question: if organised crime was enabling these encroachments, why did it take this long to act, and what accountability exists for the officials who allowed it? The street vendor displacement problem also remains unresolved — designated vending zones are a promise, not a plan. Until those zones are notified and functional, the drive risks replacing one civic problem with another: displaced vendors returning to roads rather than footpaths.
NationPress
10 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many encroachments have been removed in Bengaluru's footpath drive?
As of 10 July 2025, authorities have cleared 9,878 encroachments from 435 km of footpaths across Bengaluru since the drive began on 1 July. The operation covers all five city corporations under the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA).
What structures were demolished during the Bengaluru encroachment drive?
The drive removed 1,340 permanent shops, approximately 1,800 pushcarts, 2,267 metal sheets, 2,300 unauthorised steps and ramps, 2,662 pillars and signboards, and 2,247 sheds that had encroached on public footpaths.
What will happen to street vendors displaced by the drive?
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said the government will identify designated vending zones where vendors can operate without obstructing pedestrians or traffic. The state will also restart the process of issuing identity cards to street vendors, which had been stayed by a court order.
Why did CM Shivakumar invoke a 'mafia' in connection with the encroachments?
Shivakumar alleged that an organised criminal network has been facilitating encroachments and that rowdy elements have been extorting money from street vendors. He said police and GBA officials have been given full authority to act against such elements.
What is the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA)?
The Greater Bengaluru Authority is the overarching civic body that coordinates governance across Bengaluru's five city corporations. The ongoing footpath encroachment drive is being conducted across all five corporations under GBA oversight.
