File FIRs against repeat offenders: Minister on Bengaluru footpath encroachments

Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda on Friday directed officials to take strict steps to stop cleared footpaths across the city from being encroached upon again, and said FIRs should be filed against repeat violators. He also asked officials to set up joint task forces of police and civic staff in five city corporation jurisdictions for continuous monitoring and joint action.At a virtual review meeting on footpath encroachments, Gowda said clearing encroachments alone was not enough and that a system must be put in place to ensure the same stretches are not occupied again. According to an official release, he said cases of re-encroachment must be treated seriously and repeat violators should face strong legal action.Gowda said each city corporation jurisdiction should have a joint task force in which police and civic officials work in coordination. He said cleared footpaths should be checked through regular as well as surprise inspections, and immediate action should be taken wherever re-encroachment is found."Cases of re-encroachment should be identified promptly and reported with photographic and geo-tagged evidence. Marshals and beat police personnel should jointly conduct regular inspections," he directed. He said it was not enough to state that encroachments had been cleared, and that continuous monitoring was needed to ensure cleared locations were not occupied again. FIRs should be registered against repeat violators, materials used for the encroachment should be seized, and higher penalties should be imposed as per the rules.He also asked officials to clearly fix responsibility for monitoring and enforcement and create a system for regular review of action taken and progress reports. The minister also directed officials to clearly identify roads where street vending is restricted or prohibited and formally inform the concerned police and civic authorities. On major and high-traffic roads, he said steps must be taken to ensure that pedestrian and vehicular movement is not obstructed, stressing that smooth public movement should be given priority.He said a fresh and comprehensive survey of street vendors should be taken up at the earliest, after which further action should be based on eligibility and the applicable legal criteria. He also asked officials to complete pending statutory processes, including the formation of Town Vending Committees, in line with the law.Gowda further directed that a joint order or circular should be issued at the level of the Chief Commissioners to cover joint police-civic operations, the formation of task forces, road-wise identification of areas, detection of re-encroachments and legal action.- EndsPublished By: India Today Web Desk Published On: Sep 4, 2026 17:57 IST