Upload details of identified street vendors on website: HC to Corpn

A division bench comprising Justice M Sathyanarayanan and Justice R. Hemalatha offered the direction on Thursday while hearing a contempt petition moved by social activist Traffic Ramaswamy in connection with the rampant illegal hawking in the NSC Bose Road despite a court order banning them.

Additional Advocate General (AAG) PH Arvind Pandiyan appearing on behalf of the Corporation submitted that the enumeration process was completed in 15 zones as per Street Vendors (Protection of livelihood &Regulation of Street Vending) Act 2014. Regards NSC Bose Road after the enumeration process the Town Vending Committee has rejected the request of 637 street vendors in the streets falling under Zone V, he said.

But, to a specific question raised by the bench regards unauthorized parking of two wheelers on the extended platform in the NSC Bose Road, the AAG informed that there is a proposal to place bollards (short poles to prevent traffic from entering the area) at all the intersections from Rajaji Salai to Govindappa Naicken Street. He also submitted that estimates worth Rs.28.95 lakh have been prepared for this purpose which is inclusive of fixing duct doors, water tables and concrete floors and the work is scheduled to be completed by February 28.

The petitioner’s counsel, however, submitted that despite the accommodation reportedly provided to the hawkers, unauthorised hawking continued to take place, with them encroaching the road margin making it difficult for pedestrians and road users.

Unless stringent measure is taken by the court by summoning the concerned officials to submit a workable solution the situation would continue to prevail, the counsel said. The plea has been posted for further hearing to March 10.

The matter relates to the encroachment by hawkers and others on arterial NSC Bose Road. The plea had also sought the authorities to ensure that the hawkers do not encroach the pavements with their stalls, carts, structures, furniture and other articles, obstructing pedestrian movements on 

the pavements.