Bengaluru: In a strong civic push to reclaim public spaces and improve pedestrian safety, the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and city municipal corporations have launched a large-scale footpath clean-up and encroachment removal drive under the “Safe Footpath” campaign

The Safe Footpath campaign, launched by the GBA, is being seen as one of the city’s most extensive recent efforts to restore sidewalks for public use

The drive has also sparked debate, especially in busy commercial areas where vendors and pedestrians compete for limited space . While many residents welcome clearer and safer footpaths, the challenge for the administration will be to balance enforcement with practical relocation and long-term maintenance
For a city that struggles with pedestrian access in many areas, the campaign is an important step toward cleaner streets and safer walking conditions
The operation has been coordinated zone-wise, with civic teams, earthmovers, and enforcement staff deployed across multiple parts of Bengaluru
The real test will be whether the cleared footpaths stay usable after the drive ends