Street vendors in Bengaluru will be relocated, not displaced: Karnataka Chief Minister Shivakumar

Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Monday (July 6) assured street vendors in Bengaluru that the ongoing drive to clear encroachments from roads and footpaths would not deprive them of their livelihoods, saying the State government would provide alternative vending spaces and support to registered vendors.

Addressing reporters after inspecting the ongoing construction of the new Anubhava Mantapa at Basavakalyan in Bidar district, Mr. Shivakumar said vendors operating on major roads and footpaths would be relocated to nearby side roads wherever feasible. “The urban poor need not panic. We will make alternative arrangements in the side-roads. Registered street vendors will also be provided pushcarts. I want to make this announcement in this Anubhava Mantapa,” he said.

Anubhava Mantapa project

Turning to the Anubhava Mantapa project, the Deputy Chief Minister said the government would ensure its early completion without any financial constraints. He said the project had been conceived at an estimated cost of ₹742 crore, of which ₹480 crore had already been released.

Describing Basavakalyan as the land of Basavanna and the birthplace of the Anubhava Mantapa, Mr. Shivakumar said the project would evolve into an important centre for Basava philosophy, culture, spirituality and tourism. He said the State government was committed to completing the remaining works at the earliest.

Responding to questions on the deficient monsoon and demands for declaration of drought in parts of north Karnataka, Mr. Shivakumar said the government would take a decision only after assessing the ground situation. “A drought cannot be declared in a day. We will see, hear and experience the situation. We will study the reports before taking an appropriate decision,” he said.