Staff Reporter
Guwahati: Based on the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014, the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) has identified 81 vending zones across the city, but failed to provide vending zones even after a decade of enacting the Act. This inaction on the part of GMC has led vendors doing their business in whatever spaces they get – on footpaths, roadsides and whatnot.
The civic body states that it takes action based on public complaints regarding the presence of unregulated vendors and is in the process of finalizing standard carts for these zones.
On Wednesday, the GMC, with support from Chandmari Police, launched a large-scale eviction drive in the Chandmari area. More than 20 roadside stalls—including those selling meat, fish, and vegetables—were dismantled as part of the effort to clear pedestrian pathways. The move followed repeated complaints from local residents, particularly senior citizens, who reported difficulties walking on the congested sidewalks near the All India Radio office.
A senior GMC official said, “Most complaints came from elderly people who found it hard to walk. We had to act to restore order. These stalls were unauthorized and encroached on public space.”
However, the eviction drive sparked protests from the affected vendors. Many alleged they had not been given prior notice and were caught off guard. “We have valid trade licenses. Yet, our stalls were removed without warning. This was our only source of income,” said a momo vendor as his stall was dismantled.
Several vendors expressed frustration over the lack of progress in allocating vending zones, despite repeated promises. They claimed that with vending zones not yet functional, they are being forced into an uncertain existence. “We are not against regulation—we just want a formal, legitimate space to work from,” one vendor said. The sudden eviction, without any relocation plan, has left many without a livelihood and pushed them into deeper economic insecurity.
GMC officials dismissed the vendors’ claims, stating that only unauthorized stalls had been removed and reaffirming a zero-tolerance policy toward footpath encroachment. The civic body announced a two-day pause in further eviction operations but warned of strict action if cleared areas are reoccupied.
While some residents have welcomed the move for restoring pedestrian access, the situation exposes the growing tension between urban regulation and the livelihoods of informal workers. Unless the vending zones are operationalized soon, such actions risk exacerbating the hardship faced by street vendors.
Also Read: Guwahati Municipal Corporation imposes fines for waste disposal violations
Also Watch: