Mysuru: Mysuru City Corporation’s (MCC) recent anti-footpath encroachment drive, which was welcomed as an important step to keep pedestrian spaces free, appears to have had only a temporary impact.In several parts of the city, vendors have returned to the footpaths, raising questions over the effectiveness of the drive.Residents allege that the enforcement was largely confined to the city’s central areas, while footpaths in several other parts remain encroached, leaving little or no space for pedestrians to walk.Over the past few days, vendors have returned to footpaths at several locations, including the Central Business District (CBD), after a brief gap following the eviction drive. Residents point out that encroachments remain even around Devaraja Market, where traffic congestion is already a major concern, with vendors occupying both footpaths and portions of the road.“It is tough even to enter Devaraja Market,” said Sarojini M, a resident from Agrahara. The entire area is now encroached, she said.“If the MCC clears the road and footpath encroachments around Devaraja Market, Chamaraja Double Road and the road connecting the Suburban Bus Stand, traffic as well as pedestrian movement will improve considerably in CBD area. Unfortunately, vendors are operating without fear of the law,” alleged Raghu Gowda, civic activist.However, Bhaskar Shrinivasa Raje Urs, vice-president (South) of the National Association of Street Vendors of India (NASVI), said the vendors who have been issued identity cards and registered with the MCC are following the prescribed guidelines.He said the problem was largely due to vendors from other states who allegedly occupy footpaths illegally. He also urged the authorities to make dedicated arrangements for street vendors during Dasara to prevent them from facing difficulties, similar to what vendors experience during events such as the Open Street Festival.“If you visit the urban pockets around the city, there is no end to this menace. Footpaths have been encroached upon extensively, but there is hardly any action,” said Dattagalli resident Ravi Kirthi Gowda.
