Street vendors continue to irk Mohali residents

MOHALI: Street vendors selling vegetable and fruits block the pathways and often push the people onto the main roads. This is posing a great threat to the commuters and also the shoppers.
One can come across such incidents and vendors in Phase XI, IX, V, Sector 69, 70 and 71. Many residents have approached the civic body and raised an alarm.
Several residents have also complained regarding the matter.However, the residents said that every time they approach the MC, the officials assure them that the implementation of the street vendor policy is in the pipeline and the menace will be brought under control.
Councillor Sukhdev Singh Patwari said, “MC had announced to implement the street vendors act and organise the street vendors. But till date, they have not been able to implement the policy. As a result, the number of street vendors has increased manifold and they continue to irk the residents. We find them with their carts outside the residential buildings and also on the roads. This not only hampers the traffic movement but also invites accidents. At present, MC has no vision to implement the street vendors act.”
MC had also proposed to form town vending committee to look into the issues of street vendors as per the guidelines of Supreme Court under the Street Vendor Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vendor Act, 2014. The committee would comprise councillors, civic body officials, street vendors and persons representing SC, ST and OBCs.