Rising street vendors clog road to stadium in Dharamsala
The increasing number of street vendors near the Dharamsala International Cricket Stadium is causing significant traffic congestion on the stadium road. The stadium, a popular destination for tourists visiting Dharamsala, initially saw vendors setting up near its gates. However, the local administration has since relocated them to the road leading from the stadium to the Dari area.
Currently, around 50 street vendors operate on this narrow road, creating traffic bottlenecks as tourists frequently stop to purchase food and park their vehicles along the roadside. Additionally, the vendors have occupied electric vehicle charging stations near the stadium, further exacerbating the situation.
Sanjay Sharma, Director of the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA), voiced his concerns to The Tribune, stating that the increasing number of vendors near the stadium is problematic. He emphasised that the district administration must regulate their growth to preserve the area’s infrastructure, which includes a synthetic track and facilities managed by the Sports Authority of India (SAI). Sharma noted that while a few vendors initially operated in the area, the rising influx of tourists has led to a rapid increase in numbers.
Local residents, such as Parveen Sharma from Dhauladhar Colony, expressed frustration over the traffic issues. He highlighted that many shops and commercial buildings along the road lack designated parking spaces, forcing vehicles onto the roadside. This unregulated growth, Sharma warned, could diminish the status of the Dharamsala stadium as an international tourist attraction.
Residents also pointed out that vendors are removed only during international matches or VIP visits, leaving the local community to deal with the issue on regular days.
Responding to the concerns, Zaffar Iqbal, Commissioner of the Dharamsala Municipal Corporation, said the administration was planning to develop designated street vending zones in the city. Under the Smart City project, a vending zone has already been set up in McLeodganj, and another is being constructed near Gandhi Park along Kotwali Market. For vendors operating near the cricket stadium, a vending zone has been proposed near Sheela Chowk.
Once this new vending zone is completed, the street vendors will be relocated, and traffic congestion near the cricket stadium is expected to improve. Iqbal assured residents that the corporation is committed to addressing the issue and maintaining Dharamsala’s reputation as a premier tourist and sports destination.
