Today, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) began a footpath encroachment removal drive in HSR Layout. Many concrete and temporary structures put up on the pavements were removed, including structures put up by Purva Vantage apartment, and eateries like Egg Factor and Madhura Cafe, among others.
The drive that began at 6am today will go on till 2pm. The roads under the scanner include 5th Main, 9th Main, 19th Main, 17th Cross and 18th Cross. Next Saturday, the demolition drive will take place on 24th Main, 27th Main and Iblur Main Road. “That’s when the traffic is less,” said one BBMP official. “We have not drawn up any list for the demolitions. We are just demolishing everything that is on the footpaths.”
Today, more than 100 removals are likely to take place, with over 50 already removed by 11.30am. The hutments on 19th Main opposite Aishwarya Department Store were also removed. “The idea is to instill fear among people that they cannot take the law for granted,” said one BBMP official. “We are acting on the Karnataka High Court orders that were passed a while ago. We will continue to do this from time to time to prevent rampant encroachments.”
Residents are asking the BBMP to just be as proactive in removing footpath encroachments by restaurants like The Egg Factory on 17th Cross and demolishing illegal structures like Nandini Cooljoint on 19th Main, a long-pending demand.
