Illegal vendors, piling garbage at Mohali markets irk traders during festive season

Beopar Mandals and market associations have raised different concerns and challenges being faced by them in their daily business operations during the ongoing festive season.

One of the most frequent complaints across sectors pertains to temporary vendors being allowed to set up stalls in front of showrooms, booths, and shops by occupying walking and parking spaces.

Local traders, who said a majority of their annual business revenue is earned during the festive season, rued that it was causing serious traffic congestion, shortage of parking for visitors and heavy financial losses.

Besides, Phase-2 market shopkeepers have pointed out that the garbage dump (RMC point) near the markets is not being cleaned on a daily basis, creating foul smell and unhygienic conditions that discourage customers from visiting.

The traders also demanded urgent civic improvements, including repair and recarpeting of damaged pavements and roads, fresh road marking in parking areas, installation of fancy lighting and provision of benches for shoppers’ convenience.

Raising another concern with the administration, Punjab State Traders’ Commission member Vineet Verma said sub-standard goods under reputed brand names were being sold at temporary stalls at very low prices. “It not only causes copyright issues and unfair competition but also impacts the investment of showroom owners,” he added.

Verma further urged

the district administration and the civic body to take strict measures to stop allotting vendor stalls in parking areas.

“A designated vending zone with proper parking should be created for temporary vendors. Only vendors such as diya sellers should be allowed in the market areas during the festive season. If any shopkeeper seeks permission for a temporary stall, it should be issued only opposite his own shop with an no-objection certificate (NOC) from neighbouring traders to avoid disputes,” he added.