On the first day of the campaign, civic teams cleared nearly 75 kilometers of footpaths by removing unauthorized shop extensions, kiosks, and damaged pavement slabs. Major stretches in Jayanagar and Malleswaram witnessed significant transformation, with residents sharing before-and-after photographs of restored pedestrian spaces, including the prominent 100 Feet Road, where previously obstructed walkways were reopened for public use.
State Minister Krishna Byre Gowda linked the campaign directly to pedestrian safety, stating that nearly 28 to 30 percent of Bengaluru's road fatalities involve pedestrians. He said the initiative is aligned with the Supreme Court's directions emphasizing the need to provide safe and obstruction-free walkways for citizens. The administration has also announced that street vendors affected by the enforcement drive will be relocated in accordance with the provisions of the 2014 law governing vendor rehabilitation.
The campaign has received widespread appreciation from residents who welcomed the restoration of pedestrian spaces and safer public infrastructure. However, the initiative has also drawn criticism from leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party and sections of the media, who argue that the enforcement action has adversely affected economically vulnerable street vendors.
The Safe Footpath Campaign will continue over the next several days with authorities undertaking additional encroachment removal, infrastructure repairs, and follow-up enforcement measures. The initiative represents a significant effort to restore pedestrian rights, improve urban mobility, and reduce road fatalities by ensuring that public walkways remain safe, accessible, and free from unauthorized occupation.
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