Coimbatore street vendors raise concern over delay in setting up vending zones and distributing mobile carts

Coimbatore street vendors raise concern over delay in setting up vending zones and distributing mobile carts

Street vendors, numbering over 16,000 in Coimbatore city, are waiting for more than 10 years for separate zones across the city to set shop and also for constitution of a Town Vending Committee that will attend to their requirements.

P. Mani, president of the District Roadside and Pavement Traders Welfare Association, said, “Providing identity cards by the Corporation alone does not address the ground-level issues. We have been struggling with multiple problems for over 10 years, and waiting for distribution of mobile vending carts under the National Urban Livelihood Mission. In cities such as Madurai and Erode, the carts are being distributed.”

A sugar cane juice vendor in Saibaba Colony, M. Velmurugan, said, “There are instances when customers drink the juice and leave without paying. Having dedicated areas with designated stalls in proper vending zones will enable us to operate safely and reliably.”

A soft toy seller, previously stationed on Cross Cut Road and later moved to Saibaba Colony due to the non-motorised transport corridor development, said, “We are like nomads, without a permanent and safe place to stay. The shifting disrupts our business, and we face challenges when we move to new locations.”

Despite submitting several petitions to the civic body and the district administration, vendors say there has been little progress in addressing these issues.

In response, a senior official of the Corporation said, “We are actively working to resolve issues faced by street vendors. This year, over 14,000 identity cards have been issued, with 2,000 more to be distributed soon. Surveying and allocating vending zones will begin once the Town Vending Committee is formed. The Committee will consist of 16 members, including the District Collector, Corporation Commissioner, vendor representatives, and officials from the police and revenue departments. We have submitted a proposal to the State government for 3,000 mobile vending carts. Once approved, the distribution will begin, with priority given to widows and disabled persons.”