Attempting hard to settle the rising tussle between the Municipal Corporation and street vendors, especially the vegetable sellers, Mayor Asha lakra on Friday said that efforts are being undertaken to settle down the evicted vendors at temporary sites. However, lakra failed to cite the long term plan of the civic body that will be adopted after the intervention of several political parties that has ignited the matter in a much broader way.
“Temporary arrangements are being made for the street vendors, a few sites have been identified where the local vendors will be settled down. As far as long term plan is considered, the State government is working towards the creation of permanent vending zones at different locations, however, right now our priority is to at least provide some alternate place to the vendors so that they can earn their livelihood,” said the Mayor.
Also, lakra admitted that lack of land at places is creating a hurdle in settling down the street vendors at few places. Meanwhile, with every passing day, the Municipal Corporation’s drive of shifting the street vendors from different routes is receiving tremendous criticism.
“The work for creating a planned city cannot be delayed merely in the wake of protest. The survey work of the vending zones by a private agency has been done way back. Soon the work will be taken up. It is mandatory to remove the street vendors from their designated places for smooth vehicular movement,” said lakra.
Sharing the details of shifting the vendors of lalpur-Kokar area at distillery pool, the Mayor further added, “The identified place at distillery pool is being made. Soon the vendors will be shifted at the designated spots.”
According to the RMC City Manager, Vikash Kumar, as many as 12 vending zones across the city have been identified. Covering major locations, a place near Doranda College, Upper Bazaar Haat (Opposite Bakri Bazaar), a location near Sewa Sadan, Nepal House, AG More, lalpur (near distillery pool), HEC have been identified for creation of the vending zones.
On the other hand, several members of Ranchi vendors association who have been demanding for the permanent vending zones since long have slammed the idea of alternate arrangement, terming the approach of RMC as mere a dictatorial attitude.
“Temporary settlement will not fulfill our agenda. Shifting the vendors from the main locality to some alternate places will not help them to earn their livelihood. Since 2015, the survey of vendors is going on. By far, no substantial measure has been adopted to provide permanent place to the vendors,” said, Secretary, Ranchi Footpath Hawkers Sangh, Anita Das.