Plaza: Vendors not to be evicted anytime soon

Sandeep Rana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 6

Street vendors in Sector 17 are not going to be removed any time soon as the Municipal Corporation (MC) is indecisive on its plan to make the sector a no-vending zone.

After taking its time, the UT Administration had finally declared Sector 17 as no-vending zone a few days ago. On the other hand, the MC seems not to be taking the issue seriously. The corporation has so far held no meeting to implement the Administration’s direction.

When contacted, MC Additional Commissioner (enforcement) Anil Kumar Garg said, “Before removing vendors, we will also have to make arrangements for their rehabilitation. We will soon work out something in this regard. We are going to hold a meeting to decide the same.”

As per Additional Commissioner Uma Shankar Gupta, who holds smart city project charge, a consultant had been hired to find out how many kiosks were to be given to vendors and at which locations. The vendors will be allotted space in the rejuvenation centre after a draw of lots.

Mayor Asha Kumari Jaswal said, “Vendors will be adjusted as per the Smart City project.” 

Apparently, she too does not have any plan to get the sector cleared of illegal vendors cleared.

While authorities remained undecided, the situation has reached a boiling point at the Sector 17 Plaza where street vendors have doubled over a short period. At times, it becomes quite a task for visitors and shoppers to walk around. 

“The heart of the city witnesses a huge nuisance in the evening. Every other day, there is a fight between different groups of vendors. Groupism often results in chaos with visitors avoiding their visits to the place,” said Jagmeet Singh Cheema, owner of a fast food joint in Sector 17.

Traders are already up in arms against what they term as a big problem.

“It was only after we protested and later met the Home Secretary that Sector 17 was declared a no-vending zone. These vendors come from outside like Dera Bassi and Ambala. We will wait a few days for the MC staff to act. If they do not take any action against them, we will go on a major protest and may even approach the court to get the Administration’s order implemented,” said Neeraj Bajaj, president of Chandigarh Business Council (CBC), Sector 17.

Bajaj shared that the number of vendors, which was about 100 to 200 at the time of survey conducted recently, had increased to about 600 in Sector 17 alone. He felt there must be some big nexus that the authorities had failed to act against them.

Local residents too are not unaffected with the presence of vendors. Visitors who are regular at the place find the present situation at the Plaza awful. 

Raman Kumar, a private company employee, says, “I remember coming to the Sector 17 Plaza during my college days. It used to be very peaceful and a joyful shopping experience. Even visitors to the city used to have the Plaza on their itinerary. But now, these vendors, who could be seen squatted across the market, have spoiled the beauty of the place.”

Radhika, a local student, said, “Vendors have been allowed to sit in markets like Sector 19, 22 and others. At least this one sector should be vendor-free. It is not just a shopping place but a major tourist place too. Even if vendors have to be allowed, their number should be fixed and place designated for them. It is annoying to see people running after you to buy sunglasses, corns or balloons. Those squatting keep shouting at people to buy some items.”

Meanwhile, vendors said they too have a right to earn livelihood and make two ends meet.