Shimla MC cracks down on unauthorised street vendors

Shimla Municipal Corporation officials removed six unauthorised street vendors from Lower Bazaar during a routine inspection. The vendors, found selling goods without valid licences, had their goods confiscated. The crackdown is part of a broader effort to address unauthorised street vending in the town.

Tehbazaari Inspector Jyoti Prakash highlighted that many of these vendors hail from states such as Chandigarh, Haryana, Punjab, Delhi, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. “These unlicensed vendors cause overcrowding, which can delay emergency responses in cases of fire, medical emergencies, or accidents,” he said.

The Municipal Corporation is currently developing a street vending policy to regulate the activity. Vending zones, marked with blue lines, will be designated for registered vendors. Selling goods outside these zones will be prohibited to prevent further disruptions and ensure smoother traffic flow.

The initiative aims to maintain order in Shimla’s markets while providing licensed vendors with designated spaces to operate.