Bengaluru, July 3, 2026 – In a major push to improve walkability and pedestrian safety, the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) has begun a citywide "Safe Footpath Campaign" across all five city corporations, targeting the clearance of encroachments along 1,000 kilometres of road network. The drive, running from July 1 to July 10, aims to restore footpaths by removing illegal parking, vendor spillovers, and other obstructions that have long forced pedestrians onto busy roads.According to the campaign details shared by Krishna Byre Gowda, the initiative highlights a stark statistic: pedestrians account for 30% of every 1,000 road accident deaths in Bengaluru. It also references Supreme Court directives that describe safe access to footpaths as a fundamental right rather than a privilege.Targeted EncroachmentsAuthorities will focus on several common violations:

  • Illegal parking of vehicles on footpaths, with towing operations planned.
  • Protruding name boards, chairs, tables, and kiosks.
  • Street vendors and shops extending beyond designated areas.
The campaign will not be a sudden crackdown. Municipal teams plan to issue prior notices, coordinate with police, and ensure actions comply with the Street Vendors' Protection Act and Supreme Court guidelines. Alongside clearances, damaged footpath slabs and kerbs will be repaired to improve overall infrastructure.Building on Walkability EffortsThe initiative builds on the ongoing #1KmChallenge, which encourages residents to walk short distances instead of using vehicles for nearby trips. Officials hope the restored footpaths will make Bengaluru more pedestrian-friendly and reduce traffic congestion. "Let's make Bengaluru's footpaths walkable again — together," the campaign message urges, calling on citizens to report encroachments and support the drive. The GBA has described the 10-day period as an intensive phase, with expectations that sustained enforcement and public cooperation will yield long-term improvements in pedestrian safety and urban mobility.  Residents have welcomed the move, though some vendors have expressed concerns about livelihood impacts, underscoring the need for balanced implementation that respects both pedestrian rights and legitimate street vending activities. This campaign comes amid growing calls for better urban planning in one of India's fastest-growing metropolitan regions, where rapid motorisation has increasingly marginalised walkers and cyclists.