A vending zone still remains a distant dream for the roadside vendors of the city here, who were evicted around two years ago.
The roadside vendors of the city were evicted in 2011. During displacement, they were assured of allotment of a vending zone by the civic body authorities.
There was a proposal to construct vending zones in Jail Chowk, Hirakud Colony, CS Colony, Kamli Bazaar, Cheruapara, Farm Road and Modipara of Sambalpur. The cabins were proposed to be of 5feet by 6 feet. The vending zones were proposed to be developed in PPP mode and the allottees were to deposit Rs11, 000 for each cabin. Some of the cabins were also developed.
However, the work was abandoned half-way after the district administration accused the municipality of encroaching revenue land. And now, the vendors, who were evicted and assured of vending zone, are back to the place from where they were evicted. Sambalpur Utha Dokani Sangha president Satish Bishi, however, said,
“We have staged protests several times. However, no steps have been taken in this regard.”
“The civic body should take measure to develop the vending zones. In the absence of the facility, several vendors are operating their business along the road leading to traffic problem.