MC to decide on rehabilitation sites for street vendors soon

Tribune news Service

Patiala, February 11

The Municipal Corporation (MC), Patiala, will again convene a meeting to decide on rehabilitation sites for street vendors in the city. 

MC officials said the Mayor would meet all councillors and take their consent for nearly 15 sites, which will be declared proper vending zones.

The civic body had earlier decided to rehabilitate street vendors in the city under the Street Vendors’ Act, 2014. As many as 3,163 vendors were identified who were supposed to be shifted to 15 sites, including Passin Road, Sarhind Road, Mall Road and Tripuri Road. 

The MC will also not allow vendors to set up their vends around 100 metres of the Secretariat building, District Courts, panchayat office, MC office, cantonment board and state archaeological monuments.

Mayor Sanjeev Sharma Bittu today said he had objected to the rehabilitation sites and would hold a meeting of councillors for the same.

He said, “I had objected to some of the sites being given to the street vendors, including the prime property of the polo ground. Now, we have decided to take the consent of councillors for various rehabilitation sites in the city.”

The Mayor added that officials had identified a stretch near Mohindra College, which could be provided to vendors for installing vends permanently.

The civic body is also making identity cards for the vendors. About 50% of work has been completed. The Mayor said the task would be completed soon and roads in the city would be decongested.

The MC officials said only those vends would be allowed which move on roads and did not obstruct traffic.