Open House: What steps should the MC take to check illegal vending, encroachments during festive season?

MC is struggling to set up a vending zone to accommodate licensed vendors. Allotting of space in front of the city market affects business, and rent of showrooms and shops even leads to traffic chaos. There is a need for rehabilitation of vendors, but not at the cost of traders. Matter has to be solved amicably. Parliament passed an act in 2014 for protection of livelihoods and regulations of street vendors. Proper allotment of space to vendors at a distance from showrooms and shops. To avoid overburden at one place, they should be scattered at different sectors, and the number of vendors should be fixed for better management and flexibility of operations. They should conduct business in allotted space, dispose of garbage in a segregated manner, clear goods after vending hours, display vending registration certificates ID during business hours, and common civic amenities should be provided to them.

Charu Malhotra, Mohali

Allow vending at nominal fee

As the festive season is around the corner, everyone wants to earn. The government should allow vendors on footpaths, barren parks, and open spaces with a nominal fee. The shopkeepers should refrain from encroaching verandah in markets for easy movements.

Abhilasha Gupta, Mohali

MC Needs to come up with amicable solution

Since everyone has a right to earn his or her livelihood with grace and dignity, the municipal corporation must find an amicable solution to relocate these illegal vendors operating from unauthorised areas. As the festival season is going on, the corporation’s officials must not harm these lesser-known people of God for the time being. The concerned officials must issue them a registered token on a paid basis valid for at least 10 to 15 days so that they can sell their stuff without anyone’s interference. Last but not least, the above things will also help these illegal vendors shift from one place to another on seeing the demand of the residents of a particular area, but definitely it will increase the workload of the estate office personnel a bit.

Savita Kuthiala

Tackle encroachment on priority

Despite repeated action by the authorities, encroachments can be seen in almost every market of Tricity, which increase manifold during the festival season. Due to the large number of displayed items in the corridors of the markets, there is hardly any space left to pass through them. The need of the hour is the allotment of specific areas by the municipal corporation for street vendors and fixing their time of operation during the day. The police should depute officials to keep a check on the street vendors at every market in the city, and violators should have vends confiscated to keep sufficient space for visitors. Coordination between authorities and communities is key to reclaiming public spaces and ensuring a vibrant yet orderly urban environment. Lastly, street vendors should be registered with the authorities concerned and must display their ID with a photo and name tag to avoid any criminal activities.

Dr Shruti K Chawla, Chandigarh

Need drive against encroachers

It’s really astonishing to see shopkeepers in almost all the sector markets of Chandigarh occupying the corridors in front of their respective shops by stocking and supplying their material, thus creating a lot of nuisance for the visitors going to shop in the market. The MC authorities must initiate a drive against such encroachments, and the shopkeepers instead of objecting to it, should cooperate with MC authorities in clearing the corridors as the encroachments by shopkeepers and vendors create hurdles for pedestrians who visit markets for shopping. The authorities had earlier warned the shopkeepers and vendors to lift their material lying in the corridors, but as they didn’t act on those warnings, authorities now must use force for that purpose. Protests and blocking public places in the market areas will not serve any purpose, but rather, it creates more inconvenience for the public. Corridors in the markets are meant for walkers and not the material, and this must be understood by the shop owners.

Sanjay Chopra, Mohali

Need Strict action against violators

Chandigarh is a modern and beautiful city. The authorities must understand their responsibility to maintain La-Corbusier’s status. Excess of everything is bad. The pavements and parking areas should be vacated from illegal vendors. All the corridors of markets should also be freed from shopkeepers. These pavements, corridors, and parking areas are for the convenience of the public and visitors. The MC has totally failed due to the wide gap between precept and practice. It does not do their duties properly due to corruption. Success demands perseverance. The authority should do a survey of illegal vendors that encroached on public places and must take strict action against them. Illegal vendors should be removed from there. The area supervisor must check illegal vendors and shopkeepers all the time.

Sumesh Kumar Badhwar, Mohali.

Humane regulations for vendors needed

The issue of encroachment by petty vendors deserves to be addressed distinctively for the encroachment aspect and vendors’ right to earn their livelihood. Terming them ‘illegal’ is a misnomer. While stationary vends occupying and erecting pucca structures in self-earmarked public space on pavements and in parking/market areas should not be tolerated, mobile vendors should be encouraged as their service is a boon for residents. The angst of impassioned traders, shopkeepers, and residents resenting vendors putting up close to their premises is justified. On the other hand, question any petty vendor, and he will tell you he is shelling out some ‘rent’ to officials! When big shops can have extra stalls outside, why be loath to the presence of petty vendors? It is a sin to be harsh to poor vendors who strive to earn some extra bucks in the festival season. Surely, inconvenience to visitors can be checked with some humane regulation and control.

Lalit Bharadwaj, Panchkula

Limit the number of street vendors

During festival days, small temporary vendors/poor common people should be given priority over others so that they are in a position to earn more, which may be a golden opportunity for many poor households. Hence, during festival seasons, small temporary vendors/poor common people should be allowed to put up their stalls on earmarked places in markets and pavements for a festival-limited period for a limited number of vendors so that inconvenience to the general public is minimum. For this purpose, a nominal fee should be charged, and these places should be allotted on a first-come, first-fee deposit basis.

Vijay Shukla, Chandigarh

Civic body need to adopt multi-faceted approach

As the festive season approaches, the roads become congested, not only with vehicles and peddlers but also with illegal vendors encroaching on the pavements and creating a problem for visitors. Some short-term measures to deal with them include enforcement drives like conducting regular raids to remove vendors and imposition of fines and penalties. Moreover, vending zones should be created, and licenses and permits should be issued to legitimate vendors. This problem can also be solved by providing alternate means of livelihood to them. Lastly, the solution to this problem should have a multi-faceted approach, as it is a sensitive issue.

Malkeet Kaur Virk, Patiala

Empower street vendors of city

Street vendors in Chandigarh should be seen as contributors, not burdens, to the festive atmosphere. The Chandigarh Administration must issue licenses with strict instructions to maintain cleanliness in designated areas. Violators should face penalties. Additionally, the police should train vendors to monitor antisocial elements. The administration can charge nominal fees for these licenses, benefiting both vendors and city coffers. During my visit to Ottawa on their national day, street vendors enhanced the festive spirit with their clean setups and background music. Chandigarh can emulate this model, as seen in global capitals, to elevate its festival experience.

Vijay Katyal, Panchkula

Cancel licences of defaulters

Town vending committees should be more proactive and held accountable to restrict the vendors from running their businesses only in the authorised vending zones. Any violations should be checked ruthlessly with the assistance of police and hefty fines imposed as a deterrent, followed by the cancellation of their licenses by the town vending committee. The HUDA app and the WhatsApp number (7888571296) should be widely publicised so that the general public is also involved in clicking the photos of encroachments in real-time and reporting to the authorities, along with their location. The encroachment removal team should stick to the deadline for the removal within three working days to prove their credibility. The Joint Commissioner of the Enforcement Wing can analyse enhancing the number of encroachment drives per month from five to seven due to the festive season after beefing up his force by bidding for additional sub-inspectors, police personnel, and labourers from his higher HQ.

Brigadier Advitya Madan, Chandigarh

Charge one-time fee from street vendors

Illegal vendors meet the small demands of residents of Chandigarh, so they are useful for Chandigarh city. Illegal vending is meant for livelihood, and those persons are really poor and hard-working to earn a living. The municipal corporation should shift them to a new place specially designed for them so that they should not occupy pavement and parking areas. Even they can charge a small fee from vendors that would add to the income of the municipal corporation. This newly designed area should be informed to residents through social media or the newspaper for the maximum benefits to vendors.

Dr Anita Jaswal, Chandigarh

No need to dampen Festive spirit

The Municipal Corporation should not have a confrontational approach towards the vendors. They should specify designated areas where these vendors can sell their goods. There is no point designating areas where there is no footfall, as vendors would simply pack their bags and go where the consumers are. Municipal Corporations can charge a nominal fee for providing the designated area for the limited holiday season. Let us not dampen the holiday spirit by making these vendors trying to earn an honest living look like villains and treat the problem with a humane approach.

Gurnoor Grewal, Chandigarh

Confiscate goods of unregistered vendors

To remove illegal vendors and encroachments, administration needs to conduct regular enforcement drives with videographic documentation and police support. They can confiscate goods from unregistered vendors and issue challans to them. They should involve the public in the reporting of encroachments. Awareness be given to the public and vendors of the benefits of stopping illegal vending and encourage registration for legalising the vendors.

Harinder Singh Bhalla, Chandigarh

USe CCTV surveillance to check violation

To curb illegal vending and encroachments, the Municipal Corporation should establish designated vending zones, enforce strict penalties, and conduct regular inspections. Collaborating with local NGOs to provide alternative livelihoods and raising public awareness through campaigns can also help. Implementing a toll-free number for reporting violations and using CCTV surveillance will ensure continuous monitoring and accountability.

Sargunpreet Kaur, Mohali

Hold regular monitoring drives

The Municipal Corporation should implement regular monitoring drives, impose strict fines, and promptly remove illegal vendors. Designated vending zones could be established to regulate hawkers while increasing the number of parking spots and pedestrian-friendly spaces. Public awareness campaigns on the importance of keeping public areas encroachment-free can foster citizen cooperation. Leveraging technology for real-time reporting of encroachments would ensure swift action and sustained control over illegal vending activities.

Sahibpreet Singh, Mohali

Issue temporary permits to vendors

To effectively address illegal vending and encroachments during the festive season, the Municipal Corporation can implement a combination of strategies, such as issuing temporary permits, partnering with NGOs, developing a mobile app, establishing public-private partnerships, and offering incentives for compliance. By taking these comprehensive measures, the corporation can ensure a safe, enjoyable, and orderly festive season for all while promoting responsible and legal vending practices.

Gurpreet Kaur, Mohali

Need for strict no-tolerance policy

To address illegal vending and encroachments during the festive season, the Municipal Corporation can implement a strict no-tolerance policy, collaborate with residents, and provide designated vending zones. Additionally, they can explore temporary relocation options, encourage mobile vending units, promote online marketplaces, impose stricter penalties, and involve the community in awareness campaigns and clean-up drives. By taking these comprehensive measures, the corporation can ensure a safe, orderly, and enjoyable festive season for all.

Gurdev Singh, Mohali

Curb illegal vending in Tricity

The Municipal Corporation can take several effective steps to curb illegal vending and remove encroachments in Chandigarh during the festive season. Firstly, they should implement strict laws and penalties for vendors who set up shop on pavements and parking areas. Secondly, the corporation can organise dedicated spaces for vendors to sell their goods legally, providing them with a designated area to conduct their business. Additionally, regular inspections and swift removal of encroachments can deter illegal vending and maintain the city’s aesthetic appeal. Raising awareness among the public about negative impacts of illegal vending and encouraging them to report such activities is important.

Amanjot Kaur, Mohali

Use cctv cameras to keep tabs on vendors

To tackle illegal vending and encroachments, the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh should implement strict vigilance through CCTV cameras and mobile squads. Designate specific vending zones with licensed vendors. Collaborate with local police for effective enforcement. Introduce a helpline for citizen complaints. Conduct regular eviction drives and impose penalties.

Gaganpreet Singh, Mohali

Question for next week

Whenever there is a VIP movement in the city, commuters often face traffic jams, leading to inconvenience. How can the UT police address the issue while ensuring the security of the dignitary is not compromised?

Suggestions in not more than 70 words can be sent to openhouse@tribunemail.com