Bengaluru street vendors can now conduct business on 90% of the city's roads, but with a crucial condition: they must keep footpaths clear for pedestrians. Officials stated that the safe footpath drive is focusing mainly on stretches with high pedestrian and vehicle movement.
New Policy Details
The announcement came from municipal authorities on July 1, 2026. Under the new guidelines, vendors are permitted to use 90% of road space for vending, provided they do not encroach upon footpaths. This move aims to balance the livelihoods of street vendors with the need for safe pedestrian movement.
According to a senior official from the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), the decision was taken after consultations with vendor associations and traffic police. The official said, "We understand that street vendors depend on these spaces for their income, but pedestrian safety cannot be compromised. Hence, we have allowed vending on 90% of roads while strictly prohibiting footpath occupation."
Focus on High-Traffic Areas
The safe footpath drive will initially target major roads and junctions in areas like Jayanagar, MG Road, and Koramangala, where pedestrian and vehicle congestion is high. Enforcement teams will conduct regular checks to ensure compliance. Violators may face penalties, including seizure of goods.
BBMP has also mandated that vendors maintain cleanliness around their stalls and not obstruct traffic flow. The policy is expected to be implemented in phases across all zones.
Reactions from Vendor Associations
Street vendor unions have welcomed the move but expressed concerns about enforcement. A representative from the Karnataka Street Vendors Association said, "We appreciate the government allowing us to work on most roads. However, we fear that the 10% restriction could be misused by officials to harass us. We hope the rules are applied uniformly."
Authorities have assured that the policy will be reviewed after six months based on feedback and ground realities.
