Abhijith N Kolpe

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru Oct 25: The street vendors’ zone near State Bank bus stand which was left vacant since its inauguration a year ago by the then mayor Harinath was occupied by vendors on October 23.

Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) had arranged the place for street vendors running their businesses in and around Nehru Maidan and Central Market.

The new place is spacious, but unfortunately, the vendors who have occupied the same have to run their business in the scorching heat of the sun. Many of the street vendors, especially women, have relocated to the new place. Most of the street vendors are women who sell homegrown vegetables for their daily bread.

Out of 300 street vendors, only 50 have made their way to the new vendors’ zone. MCC had registered 216 street vendors to run their business at the new place. As many as 208 vendors have been issued ID cards so far. Fifty vendors with IDs are running their business at the new place, while the rest are still managing on the streets of Central Market.

Speaking to daijiworld.com, Anitha, a vendor, who is running her business since 15 years at Central Market said, "Compared to Central Market, business has drastically come down after shifting to this new place. The public is not aware of the new vendors’ zone. We urge people to visit the new vendors’ zone, which can help us improve our business. The new place is really good provided they install a roof to help us survive the scorching heat in the summer and rain in the rainy season. Most of them have received their ID cards from MCC. I too have applied for the same and hope to receive it at the earliest.”

“Mayor Kavitha Sanil visited the street vending zone and assured us of providing basic amenities including roof soon,” she added.