Money spent, nothing achieved

The concept of smart vending zones in Srinagar was envisioned as a progressive step towards organizing street vending, improving urban aesthetics and providing dignified livelihoods to hawkers. However, the reality on the ground tells a different story of neglect, poor planning and wasted public resources. Constructed with the aim of streamlining informal trade, these zones today stand largely unused. Instead of bustling hubs of small commerce, many have turned into silent, underutilized structures, failing to attract either vendors or customers. This raises serious questions about the planning process, stakeholder consultation and execution strategy behind the initiative. Street vendors, the primary beneficiaries, were neither adequately consulted nor incentivized to shift to these designated areas. Many continue to operate in traditional locations where footfall is higher and business is viable. A vending zone, no matter how “smart,” cannot succeed if it is disconnected from the natural flow of public movement. The financial implications are equally concerning. At a time when public funds must be utilized with utmost accountability, such projects risk becoming symbols of misallocated priorities. Infrastructure without utility is not development but a burden on the exchequer. What is needed now is not denial but course correction. Authorities must engage directly with vendors, reassess site selection and explore adaptive reuse of these spaces. If necessary, these zones can be repurposed to serve other pressing civic needs. Urban development must be people-centric, not project-centric. The failure of Srinagar’s smart vending zones serves as a reminder that without ground-level understanding and inclusive planning, even well-intentioned initiatives can fall flat.