Mangaluru: Stalls at street vendor zone lying vacant

Mangaluru: Despite the allocation of 93 stalls to street vendors near State Bank in Mangaluru, the business has not commenced due to the lack of basic infrastructure. The area, constructed specifically for street vendors, is now turning into a shelter for alcoholics and beggars.

The Mangaluru City Corporation had demolished unauthorized shops in the city to promote public health and hygiene. They assured legal vendors that they would receive stalls in a designated zone. However, despite the construction of the zone, several essential amenities are still lacking.

The Corporation handed over the stalls on September 5, 2024, to 93 street vendors through an identification process. Yet, no business has started in the zone.

Though most of the construction work, including roofing, flooring, and electricity, is completed, vendors are hesitant to begin operations, citing concerns over incomplete facilities like water supply. They fear that if they start now, the Corporation might neglect to provide the remaining infrastructure.

A total of 667 street vendors were identified earlier, and the Corporation has imposed 18 conditions for them to start trading. Reservations for 22 stalls for SC, 8 for ST, and 7 for differently-abled vendors have been made, with the rest allocated through a draw system.

The authorities have stated that once all facilities are fully in place, vendors can commence their operations immediately.