Bengaluru: Bulldozer razes shops on pavements, as also livelihoods!

It was a normal day for shopkeepers who have their shops on the pavements of Jayanagar, Bengaluru. However, when a JCB came roaring, their life went helter-skelter, literally! 

The giant machine, using its massive bucket, tore down the shops on the pavements, thereby bringing their livelihoods on the roads. 

A JCB roared on the pavements of Jayanagar to remove encroachments. However, the shopkeepers allege that the eviction happened sans giving them any notice.#Bengaluru#Encroachment#BBMPpic.twitter.com/MQHrqbAJAk

— NewsFirst Prime (@NewsFirstprime)

A JCB roared on the pavements of Jayanagar to remove encroachments. However, the shopkeepers allege that the eviction happened sans giving them any notice.#Bengaluru#Encroachment#BBMPpic.twitter.com/MQHrqbAJAk

— NewsFirst Prime (@NewsFirstprime) November 7, 2023

">November 7, 2023

As many as 45 shops were bulldozed. The authorities in charge of the eviction drive allege that these are encroachments, which do not allow pedestrians to use the pavement. Additionally, when the pavements are encroached, pedestrians spill on to the streets, disturbing the flow of traffic. 

However, shop owners allege that the eviction drive was conducted without any notice given to them. Now, as they are left in dire straits, they wonder as to what to do next! 

Jayanagar is Bengaluru’s lifeline

Jayanagar is one of the oldest areas in Bengaluru. It houses the Jayanagar Shopping Complex which houses numerous shops. However, people also shop on the pavements as they get to buy small items like jewellery, mobile accessories, clothes inter alia. 

In fact, there are many who have been leading their lives on these pavements for several decades. 

It now remains to be seen as to how these vendors are accommodated elsewhere or what action they would take to regain what they call is ‘theirs.’