City Matters: Vending zones in Chennai to be finalised next week

Chennai Corporation to announce final list of vending zones next week; residents can object to inclusion of their streets.

After a delay of several years, the Greater Chennai Corporation is set to announce the final list of vending zones next week as the town vending committee headed by its Commissioner J. Radhakrishnan is expected to meet in a few days to finalise the list.

Once finalised, street vendors in the non-vending zones of the 200 wards are expected to be evicted and a new regulation will be in force. Corporation officials said the residents would be permitted to object to the inclusion of their streets on the list of vending zones even after the final list is announced. The Commissioner would take a decision to remove the name of roads from the list of vending zones. As a number of roads that have been traditional vending areas, including NSC Bose Road, are expected to be declared non-vending zones. Street vendors have also requested the civic body to reconsider their decision. 

Residents in many wards have demanded the GCC to hold consultation with local residents to streamline the process. Many street vendors, who have received identity cards, have also stopped business activities in such areas owing to civic issues.  Dhanalakshmi Ramalingam, a street vendor in Manali, said she stopped street vending after the floods in the area. 

J.John, AIADMK councillor from ward 84 in Ambattur, said many educational institutions and hospitals had complained about the civic issues caused by street vendors in the neighbourhood. “Chennai Corporation has removed street vendors from Bakthavatchalam College Road, Korattur. The vendors lost their livelihood. They have resumed activity. But they may lose their source of livelihood after the final list is announced. We have to find the right alternatives to protect their source of livelihood without causing disturbance to residents,” said Mr. John.

“North Avenue in Korattur is expected to be declared a vending zone. The Revenue Department of Chennai Corporation has prepared the list. However, there is no clarity, no coordination with engineering departments,” said Mr. John.

“A total of 120 street vendors were removed from Ambattur Industrial Estate a few months ago, affecting their livelihood. The vendors have been demanding SIDCO for an alternative location. Many poor labourers in Ambattur had been depending on the street vendors for food at an affordable cost. Many of the street vendors who are women have not paid the school fees for children and rent for houses after the eviction,” he added.

Velachery resident S. Kumararaja said the Chennai Corporation must discuss vending zone segregation with local residents and take their views ahead of earmarking of the zones. “A committee should be formed with local representatives, agencies, town planning and street vendors and do the groundwork and identify vending and non vending zones. This should be a joint, transparent exercise. Vending zones should not be declared without proper planning and readiness. Vending zones, though backed by the government, still lack basic amenities and facilities including water and electricity supply, as well as proper waste management. Several street vendors have raised this issue earlier too. The government should ensure that no vendors are permitted in non=vending zones,” said Mr.Kumararaja.