On Tuesday – the second day of a week-long survey of hawkers at Gariahat, a team of KMC officials, cops, and members of the TVC visited Rashbehari Avenue and Ballygunge Station Road and warned the hawkers against encroaching on a major portion of the pavements.
The officials asked the hawkers to abide by the rules and leave two-third of the pavement for pedestrians. A KMC official said the situation in Gariahat-Ballygunge area is slowly improving after the first round of the survey of hawkers.
“We had found gross violation of hawking rules during the first phase of the survey in Gariahat three months ago. However, the situation improved as many hawkers fell in line and started abiding by the rules,” said a KMC official.
Apart from earmarking the pavement space, the civic brass had asked a section of hawkers to refrain from using plastics and also suggested them to cover their stalls with tin shades.
Debraj Ghosh, a hawker union leader of Gariahat area, said the use of tin shades, instead of using plastic sheets, brought about a big change in the hawking zone.
“After erecting the tin shades, the hawkers now don’t have to fear about rain. In the process, the pedestrians have also been benefited as after erection of tin shades, a lot of pavement space has been reclaimed. So, pedestrians can enjoy extra space to take a smoother walk,” Ghosh said. Saktipada Mondal, a town vending committee member, said “During the second phase of the survey there will be gradual improvement in the hawker-pedestrian conflict. We have made it clear to the hawkers that under no circumstances, the state government or the KMC will allow encroachment of the carriageways or pavements. Those who will abide by the hawking rules will be entitled for a vending certificate that will establish their rights as hawkers,” said Mondal.
Mona Das, who sells garments in Gariahat, said that some hawkers were willing to fall in line to get a valid hawking licence from the KMC. “I have decided to follow what the town vending committee members will instruct us. I want to establish my right as a hawker permanently and need an ID card from the government at the earliest to do business in peace,” said Das.
Source: https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMijwFodHRwczovL3RpbWVzb2ZpbmRpYS5pbmRpYXRpbWVzLmNvbS9jaXR5L2tvbGthdGEva29sa2F0YS1tdW5pY2lwYWwtY29ycG9yYXRpb24tc3RhcnRzLXJlY2xhaW1pbmctcGF2ZW1lbnRzLWluLWdhcmlhaGF0L2FydGljbGVzaG93Lzk3NTA2Mzg1LmNtc9IBigFodHRwczovL20udGltZXNvZmluZGlhLmNvbS9jaXR5L2tvbGthdGEva29sa2F0YS1tdW5pY2lwYWwtY29ycG9yYXRpb24tc3RhcnRzLXJlY2xhaW1pbmctcGF2ZW1lbnRzLWluLWdhcmlhaGF0L2FtcF9hcnRpY2xlc2hvdy85NzUwNjM4NS5jbXM?oc=5
