MLA objects to GBA’s no-trade license on roads less than 40 ft. wide rule

Former minister and BJP MLA S. Suresh Kumar has written to Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) chief M. Maheshwar Rao, taking objection to a recent circular that said no trade licences will be issued or renewed for establishments on roads less than 40 ft. wide.

In his letter, Mr. Kumar said this rule will affect lakhs of street vendors and owners of small shops in residential bylanes. “As per my information, there are nearly 2.5 lakh street vendors and 1.6 to 1.8 lakh kirana stores. This new rule will affect nearly 20 lakh people in the city,” he said. 

“In several areas, especially outer zones, there are no roads 40 ft. wide or wider. Some areas in the core city also do not have roads 40 ft. wide. Should traders operating out of these areas move to roads that are 40 ft. wide or wider? If so, what will residents of these areas do for their daily needs like groceries? GBA should think in a pro-people manner,” he said in the letter. 

‘No new rule’

Responding to these concerns, GBA sources said that they were only implementing the zonal regulations as per Revised Master Plan – 2015, currently in force, in the city and it was no new rule.