SMC mulls to cancel allotment of shops to street vendors who install carts on roadsides

Srinagar, Jan 29: The Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) is mulling to cancel the allotment of the street vendors, who despite being allotted the shops are still installing their carts at Hari Singh High Street and other places.
SMC Commissioner, Athar Aamir Khan said that a lot of street vendors have so far been allotted the shops in order to reduce the number of street vendors and ensure the roadsides are not occupied.
However, he said that the complaints are pouring in that the street vendors, who have been allotted the shops, still install their carts at Hari Singh High Street and other places failing under SMC’s jurisdiction, thus adding to the miseries of the people, especially pedestrians and the commuters.
“I don’t have the exact figures at present, but a large number of street vendors have been provided the shops so far. In order to act against the persons installing their carts despite being allotted the shops, the corporation is going to cancel the allotment to such street vendors,” he said.
He added that it is an extensive exercise, which further needs to be done also.
Pertinently, the commuters have been complaining that the roadsides being occupied by the street vendors are pushing them to the wall as the street vendors leave no space for them, which most of the times also result in traffic mess as well.
In the recent past, the government shifted at least 250 registered street vendors to the smart vending zone, established at Magarmal Bagh area of Srinagar.
Besides, the street vendors were also allotted the suitable space in the commercial hub Lal Chowk, which has been named ‘Makkah market’. (KNO)