BBMP clears and makes way

BANGALORE: In a massive encroachment drive that the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) had taken on, as many as 16 kilometres of footpath were cleared from illegal hawkers in the Mahadevapura zone. The encroachment drive was conducted on footpaths of ITPL Road, K R Puram bridge to Oform Circle, Graphite India Road, Hoody Circle to Kundalahalli Gate and Ramamurthy Main Road.Small shop owners, telephone booths and footpath vendors had illegally encroached upon the space.Speaking with City Express, K S Devaraj Joint Commissioner (Mahadevapura) said that they had undertaken the task of clearing footpaths on three main roads. He added that they had cleared 16 kilometres of encroached upon footpaths — eight kilometres from ITPL Road, six from Graphite India Road and two from Ramamurthy Main Road. “There were more than 300 unauthorised petty shops on these roads,” he said.Devaraj said that they started the encroachment drive at 6.30 am which continued until 2 pm on Friday.“After more than seven hours, the BBMP collected load approximately equivalent to 30 lorries loads,” he informed.He also said that they had intimated and warned the vendors to vacate the place.On Thursday, the BBMP officials along with help from the Mahadevapura and K R Puram police stations removed the encroachment.There were more than 300 BBMP staff and 75 policemen.“Hence forth for the next 15 days eight men will inspect the area in their Prahari van (BBMP vehicle). There are chances that these vendors might come back,” he added.The BBMP is also planning on planting saplingsin the Mahadevapura zone. “We will plant at least 20,000 saplings this year. To begin with, we will plant 5,000 saplings next week at various places in Mahadevapura.We will also plant saplings on the footpaths which have been cleared,” he added.