Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said Thursday that street vendors removed from major roads will be accommodated in notified vending zones [1].
The initiative aims to balance urban mobility with the livelihoods of small-scale traders. By relocating vendors, the government seeks to reduce pedestrian congestion while ensuring that sellers maintain a legal place to conduct business.
This transition is a central component of the 'Safe Footpath' campaign [1]. The program focuses on removing obstructions from primary thoroughfares to improve safety for pedestrians. Under this plan, vendors currently operating on major roads are being transitioned to designated areas where they can operate without blocking public walkways [1].
In Mangaluru, the city corporation is taking similar steps to organize urban commerce. The Mangaluru City Corporation will identify specific vending zones within each ward to ensure that street vendors have consistent access to customers without impeding traffic flow [2].
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said that street vendors being removed from major roads as part of the 'Safe Footpath' campaign would be accommodated in notified vending zones [1]. The government intends for these zones to provide a structured environment for vendors who have previously operated in unregulated spaces.
The effort reflects a broader push toward urban planning that prioritizes pedestrian rights and traffic management. By designating specific wards for vending in Mangaluru and implementing similar zones in Bengaluru, officials hope to minimize conflicts between commuters and the informal economy [1], [2].
“Street vendors being removed from major roads as part of the 'Safe Footpath' campaign would be accommodated in notified vending zones.”
This policy represents an attempt to formalize the informal economy within Karnataka's urban centers. By moving vendors from high-traffic thoroughfares to designated zones, the state is prioritizing pedestrian infrastructure and traffic flow, while attempting to avoid the total displacement of low-income traders who rely on street access for their survival.
