BBMP constructs restroom for civic workers on footpath, draws citizens’ ire

BENGALURU: The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has been evicting registered street vendors in an effort to rebuild ‘Brand Bengaluru’, but has itself encroached upon a section of a footpath in Vijayanagar area leading to local residents expressing outrage at the dual policy.

Residents said the BBMP has violated rules by building a restroom for civic workers by encroaching upon one part of the footpath, which is jutting out on to the road, while it is discriminating against street vendors and evicting them in different parts of the city.

The BBMP has encroached upon a part of the footpath in Vijayanagar to build a restroom for civic workers.

Social activist Keshavamurthy said the restroom for civic workers has been constructed right on the road itself. “It is difficult for movement of pedestrians and vehicles. This building was constructed about a year ago without applying basic sense. The local engineers have given permission to construct the building encroaching the footpath and on to the road”, he pointed out.

Further, he said, ‘Even though it is a civic body, the BBMP cannot construct buildings on the road as it is public property. The BBMP implemented the Protection and Regulation of Livelihood of Street Vendors Act, 2014, to protect their interests, but is now evicting them from footpaths. Sometimes, BBMP plays a double role in many cases because it grants permission for street vending on the one hand, and forcefully vacates the street vendors on the other. Currently, the corporation is not renewing the street vendors’ licences on the pretext of burnishing ‘Brand Bengaluru’. If street vendors spoil the beauty of Bengaluru, then what about these buildings? BBMP should answer”.