Shocking!! Diminishing pedestrian space now in Chennai city!!
Posted on: 04/Feb/2023 9:48:11 AM
The pedestrian space is diminishing in Chennai due to vendors!!
In recent times in Chennai, there has been a proliferation of food shops at every popular stretch. To make their facility a permanent one, some of these food shops have built concrete structures on the sidewalks. It must be noted that the important stretches in Chennai where vendors have occupied the pedestrian space are Ambattur Estate Road, Venkatnarayana Road, Velachery Main Road, North Beach Road opposite to Burma Bazaar, CTH Road, Anna Nagar, Anna High Road and Church Road in Perungudi etc.
It is shocking to mention that to keep their business running, the vendors pay bribes to the policemen every day and the amount varies from Rs 300 to Rs 500. Gas stoves and LPG cylinders are used mostly by these vendors and they are present in the open. The pavements in the above mentioned places are full of food leftovers etc. Many residents in the above said localities are highly concerned about the reduction in the pedestrian space now due to encroachment by the food vendors.
Inspite of many complaints made to GCC, no action has been taken till now and this was brought out by a resident from Ambattur. He added that though many vendors open their shops by 6pm in the evening but they keep their push carts on the pavements permanently creating issues for the public.
In OMR in south Chennai, ducts and drains are being used to wash the hands and vessels etc. this was as epr a resident from OMR. Truth is that the stalls are open till midnight as the business is good at that time. He wanted the civic authorities to take strict action on these food vendors encroaching the pavements and polluting the storm water drains. It is noteworthy that the GCC has been trying to enforce the Street Vending Act by allocating ID cards to the vendors.
