Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, founder of Biocon, has criticised the selective way fines are imposed for footpath encroachments in Bengaluru. She argued that authorities focus on well-known establishments such as the Empire Hotel, while turning a blind eye to the widespread encroachments by smaller, unbranded vendors.
Multiple municipal corporations in Bengaluru conducted large-scale cleaning drives and cleared encroachments from pedestrian pathways on Saturday. The drive was part of the Greater Bengaluru Authority’s (GBA) initiative to keep the city clean. On CV Raman Nagar’s 80 ft. Road, the Empire Hotel, which had encroached on the footpath, was fined Rs 10,000.
In a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Shaw wrote, “How about doing it across the city? Don’t just go for soft targets. There are unbranded encroachers who need to be fined too”.
How about doing it across the city? Don’t just go for soft targets. There are unbranded encroachers who need to be fined too https://t.co/z76N9do8SU
— Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw (@kiranshaw) September 6, 2025
Her demand for uniform enforcement aligns with broader urban planning concerns. A 2019 study by the Indian Institute of Science revealed that nearly 60% of Bengaluru’s footpaths are blocked, making walking unsafe and contributing to a 30% rise in road accidents.
Corporation commissioners lead drives across city
East Corporation Commissioner Ramesh DS oversaw desilting works along stormwater drains in Sarjapur. West City Corporation Commissioner Dr KV Rajendra led encroachment clearance in Kengeri, while South City Corporation Commissioner KN Ramesh supervised clearance operations along Sarakki Main Road and JP Nagar 1st Phase.
At an introductory meeting in Yelahanka, North Corporation Commissioner Pommala Sunil Kumar said that officers must understand local issues and resolve them promptly. He also instructed staff to focus on meeting revenue targets, bringing new properties under the tax net, and carrying out revisions where necessary, according to a report by The Hindu.
Earlier drives in Rajarajeshwarinagar
Meanwhile, in August, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) launched a footpath encroachment clearance drive in the Rajarajeshwarinagar Zone to improve pedestrian movement. Unauthorised structures such as roadside shops, temporary roofing, sheds, stairways, compound walls, puncture shops, petty shops and advertisement boards placed on footpaths were removed, according to a report by Bangalore Mirror.
In Kengeri Division, the drive covered the stretch from Krishna Priya Convention Hall to the Kia Showroom on Mysore Road. In Rajarajeshwarinagar Division, it was held along Bombay Dyeing Road from Mathikere Main Road to the left side of the Yeshwanthpur Flower Market.