Overview
- The GBA began physical clearances on Wednesday, July 1, removing stalls, signboards and temporary structures at sites including Ashoka Pillar and stretches in central and north zones.
- Officials say the first phase targets about 2,000 kilometres of high‑footfall footpaths out of the citywide network and cite roughly 300 pedestrian deaths yearly as a reason for urgent action.
- Enforcement teams used earthmovers and lorries with police and civic engineers present to seize material and clear obstructions, and authorities say prior notices and awareness drives were carried out.
- Street vendors and unions say the removals are being treated as evictions without following the Street Vendors (Protection and Regulation of Livelihoods) Act, 2014 which requires surveys, registration, Town Vending Committees and a 30‑day notice.
- Tensions and protests have followed the clearances and the next developments to watch are immediate vendor‑authority talks, claims for designated vending zones or rehabilitation, and potential legal challenges over due process.