No check on roadside vendors, residents fume

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 18

Ahead of Diwali, the number of vendors has increased manifold in the city, especially in Sectors 17, 19 and 22, causing much inconvenience to commuters and pedestrians.

As these vendors have encroached upon market corridors in front of shops, parking areas and pavements, it becomes a harrowing experience for shoppers to visit the markets.

As per the Street Vendors Act, there are 1,000 vendors in Sector 17, 1,800 in Sector 22 and 650 in Sector 19. However, the problem is prevalent at almost all markets, including in Sectors 21, 22, 34, 35, 42 and Mani Majra.

“Vendors are sitting right outside my house, on the main road, and nobody questions them. Not only they are causing chaos, but there is also a risk of accidents as they leave their children unattended,” rued a Sector 20 resident.

However, MC officials claimed that they were holding a camp for registering essential and mobile vendors in different areas of the city. “The case of other vendors will be taken up after finishing the registration of essential and mobile vendors,” said an MC official.

Members of the Enforcement Committee said they had formed different teams of enforcement wing inspectors and were keeping a check on parking space of each market. Vendors at the parking would not be allowed, they said.