Srinagar, Apr 29: The Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) on Wednesday said it will launch strict action against car and bike dealers occupying roads, footpaths and other public spaces for commercial display of vehicles, while a comprehensive policy is being framed to regulate and rehabilitate street vendors across Srinagar.
SMC Commissioner Fazlul Haseeb said the civic body will not allow continued misuse of public spaces by commercial establishments.
“Those car and bike vendors who are using public spaces will face strict action. If specific inputs are shared with us, we will immediately initiate action against them,” Haseeb said.
Residents have repeatedly raised concerns that several footpaths have become inaccessible due to parked vehicles placed for sale, forcing pedestrians to walk on roads and creating safety risks.
Replying to queries regarding food courts and street vendors, the Commissioner acknowledged that previous measures taken by authorities had largely remained temporary and were not sustainable in the long run.
“We have tried temporary solutions in the past, but they do not sustain over time. We are now working on a comprehensive policy framework,” he said.
Haseeb said the proposed plan is aimed at relocating vendors to designated spaces in an organised manner so that public spaces are cleared without damaging the livelihoods of those dependent on vending.
“There is a question of bread and butter as well. We cannot ignore livelihoods. Our effort is to relocate and rehabilitate vendors in such a way that public spaces are freed while their source of income remains intact,” he added.
The SMC Commissioner said the proposed framework is expected to streamline street vending, reduce congestion in busy markets and roads and create regulated vending zones that may also contribute to municipal revenue generation—(KNO)
