Street vending banned after 6.30 pm in CP, Janpath

In a major move, street vending beyond 6.30 pm has been restricted in Connaught Place, Janpath, Palika Bazar and other markets, as the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) issued a strict order to decongest such high-footfall areas and free public spaces from encroachment. In its order issued on Tuesday, the civic body said that action will be taken against street vendors for non-compliance. Only authorised vendors will be allowed to operate in their allotted spaces and during the permitted hours.

Special vigilance and enforcement will be maintained around Connaught Place, Janpath, Palika Bazar, Regal, Revoli, Hanuman Mandir and Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, with strict verification of vendors in these areas.  The directions to decongest these high footfall areas were issued at a meeting held on September 14 with the Joint Director (Enforcement-North), and area inspectors were directed to review enforcement activities and prevent encroachment and unauthorised vending.

The move comes days after newly-appointed NDMC Chairman Manoj Kumar Dwivedi sought public views on turning the busy commercial hubs into a pedestrian-friendly space. “The vendor shall not carry out any vending in non-vending zones or beyond permissible timings (sunset, ie 6.30 pm) and clear the sold articles from the vending site after permissible time,” the civic body said in its order. It said vendors will have to make all reasonable efforts not to hamper the free movement of pedestrians and traffic in any way, and they will not block the footpath or carry out vending on roads.

Further adding that area inspectors have been asked to identify vulnerable locations and conduct regular field inspections, with any recurrence of encroachment after removal to be dealt with immediately as per rules. “No covering/tarpaulin/Momjama/structure at the allotted site has been ordered,” officials said.

The order also directs vendors to display their tehbazari certificates with photographs at vending sites and ensure that stalls, carts and merchandise do not extend beyond their allotted areas.  They have also been asked to keep footpaths and roads clear for pedestrians and traffic and not put up coverings, tarpaulins or other structures at their allotted sites. Vending certificates may be suspended or cancelled if the prescribed conditions are violated.

Officials said that special enforcement drives and intensified inspections will be conducted, particularly on Tuesdays and Saturdays around Hanuman Mandir since these days there is heavy footfall in the area. Only authorised vendors will be permitted to operate in their allotted spaces and during the permissible period. The NDMC has also warned that negligence, inaction or repeated failure by area inspectors to prevent or report violations will invite strict action. The civic body has further directed the digitisation and scanning of records relating to seized goods and ordered prompt, time-bound disposal of court cases and grievances received through various portals. 

Negligence, inaction or repeated failure to prevent/report violations of these instructions noticed by the higher authorities will be viewed seriously, and strict action will be taken against the concerned Area Inspectors for failure to ensure compliance, the order stated.

The New Delhi Traders Association (NDTA) welcomed the civic body’s decision, saying that only enforcement of such a drive will accurately tell whether such orders are effectively implemented or not. “We have demanded regularisation of vending spaces, especially in Connaught Place and surrounding areas for a long time. The association has repeatedly requested the NDMC and the police to force compliance with court directions and prevent unauthorised hawkers from occupying public spaces and blocking pedestrian corridors,” NDTA general secretary Vikram Badhwar told PTI.

Several shoppers pointed to the duality of the issue, saying that although these street vendors encroach on public spaces, they also provide products at fairly low prices compared to big establishments in the coveted market.