Karnataka govt to introduce new footpath policy, impose heavy fines for illegal flex banners

BENGALURU: Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Friday said that the state government will bring a new footpath policy to ensure clear pedestrian access and impose fines up to Rs 1 lakh on illegal flexes and banners.

Speaking to reporters here, Shivakumar said, “I have agreed that a new policy should be brought as regards footpaths. Citizens are facing a lot of trouble walking on footpaths. We have made footpaths after investing heavily, but vehicles are parked there and business is being carried out.”

He said designated vending zones will be fixed for street vendors. “We must fix specific places for vendors and create an opportunity to keep footpaths clean for citizens to walk. For the business of one person, the entire footpath becomes unusable and people are forced to walk on the road. This must be stopped. That is why we have decided to bring a new policy for footpaths,” the CM said.

ಬೆಂಗಳೂರಿನ ಪಾದಾಚಾರಿ ಮಾರ್ಗಗಳನ್ನು ನಾಗರಿಕರ ಸುಗಮ ಸಂಚಾರಕ್ಕೆ ಮುಕ್ತಗೊಳಿಸಲು ಹಾಗೂ ಬೀದಿಬದಿ ವ್ಯಾಪಾರಿಗಳ ಹಿತ ಕಾಯಲು ನಮ್ಮ ಸರ್ಕಾರ ಬದ್ಧವಾಗಿದೆ. ಆದರೆ, ನಮ್ಮ ಈ ನಿರ್ಧಾರವನ್ನು ರಾಜಕೀಯ ಲಾಭಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ಬಳಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳುತ್ತಿರುವ ಬಿಜೆಪಿಯವರ ದ್ವಿಮುಖ ನೀತಿ ಖಂಡನೀಯ.

ಕಳೆದ ಮಾರ್ಚ್‌ 20, 2026 ರಂದು ವಿಧಾನಸೌಧದಲ್ಲಿ ನನ್ನ ಅಧ್ಯಕ್ಷತೆಯಲ್ಲಿ… pic.twitter.com/O7ec9QLAWs

— DK Shivakumar (@DKShivakumar) July 3, 2026

Shivakumar added that the government will notify roads where vending is allowed. “We will announce on which roads footpaths cannot be occupied. On some side roads, we will allow those who are registered. Except that, all others will be removed. All MLAs have unanimously expressed their opinion and given me the responsibility,” he added.

Speaking on the issue of illegal flex banners, he said that fines will be imposed on those whose name is found at the bottom of the banners. “No matter how much we say, flex banners keep coming up. All parties put them up, our party people also do. Everyone puts up flexes. The name of whoever is at the bottom will be fined,” Shivakumar said.

“We have said that a fine of Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh will be imposed for each flex. Because this flex business has become excessive. Birthday wishes, all that. If the government has something, there is a streamlined system for it. There is an advertisement board. Anyone can take that and do it. Apart from that, there is no permission to put up banners anywhere else,” he added.

The CM stressed that flexes put up for birthdays or events without using authorised advertisement boards will face heavy penalties. (ANI)