Street vendors in Bengaluru are questioning the selective nature of the civic body's recent footpath clearance drive, pointing out that parked cars and two-wheelers on footpaths are rarely penalized, while their stalls are swiftly removed. During the drive, officials cleared stalls selling clothes, footwear, fruits, vegetables and other goods, leaving vendors frustrated and demanding equal treatment.
Vendors claim unfair targeting
According to vendors operating near major markets and commercial areas, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) enforcement teams have been conducting regular raids, seizing goods and imposing fines. However, they note that vehicles parked illegally on footpaths are often ignored or given only a warning. "Why not parked cars? We're easy targets," said a vendor who wished to remain anonymous. "Our livelihoods are at stake, but car owners get away without any action."
BBMP defends drive
A BBMP official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that the drive is part of a broader effort to clear footpaths for pedestrians. "We are acting against all encroachments, but vehicle parking is handled by the traffic police. We coordinate with them, but it's a separate process," the official said. The official added that the civic body has issued notices to several vendors and impounded goods worth lakhs of rupees in the past week.
Impact on livelihoods
Many vendors rely on daily earnings to support their families. The crackdown has left them with no income for days, and some have lost perishable goods. "We have no other option. We are not criminals, just trying to earn an honest living," said another vendor. Local residents, however, have mixed views. Some support the drive for clearer pavements, while others sympathize with the vendors.
Demand for designated vending zones
Vendors and activists are calling for the creation of designated vending zones, as mandated by the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014. They argue that without alternative spaces, the crackdown only displaces them without solving the problem. "The government must provide us with spaces where we can sell legally. Until then, we will continue to face harassment," said a representative of a local vendors' association.
No immediate solution in sight
The BBMP has not announced any plans to create new vending zones in the near future. Meanwhile, the drive continues, with vendors constantly on the lookout for enforcement teams. The situation highlights the ongoing conflict between urban planning, pedestrian safety, and the informal economy in Bengaluru.
