Bengaluru, July 2 -- The Greater Bengaluru Development Department has initiated a comprehensive drive to clear footpath encroachments across the city, with Minister Krishna Byre Gowda clarifying that the move is aimed at the relocation of street vendors rather than eviction.

Addressing a virtual conference with senior officials on the ongoing encroachment clearance exercise, Krishna Byre Gowda said the government's objective is to ensure smooth and safe pedestrian movement while also maintaining livelihood opportunities for vendors.

"Street vendors within the GBA limits will not be evicted, but are instead being relocated from arterial and sub-arterial roads to ward roads," the Minister said, adding that the focus is on creating obstruc...