Bengaluru Minister Krishna Byre Gowda orders setting up of joint police-civic teams to monitor footpath encroachment

Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda has directed officials to set up joint task forces comprising police and civic officials in each city corporation jurisdiction to prevent re-encroachment of footpaths cleared across Bengaluru.

The task forces will be responsible for sustained monitoring of cleared footpaths, jointly enforcing rules, and initiating action against repeat encroachers. The Minister issued the directions at a video conference meeting on September 3 to review footpath encroachments.

He has directed Commissioners of civic bodies to issue a joint order or circular institutionalising police-civic enforcement, defining the responsibilities and jurisdictions of officials, and establishing a system for swift action and regular review of re-encroachment cases.

Mr. Gowda said that the cleared footpaths should be subjected to regular as well as surprise inspections, with immediate action against fresh encroachments.