Street vending is the last image one associates with Sadashivanagar, the locality of the rich and powerful. But it exists, albeit with unique, unsaid rules.
Ignorance of law, an elitist sense of urban aesthetics and lack of infrastructural permanence makes street vending an easy target for law enforcement agencies.
With crowds in commercial areas during Dasara, Bengaluru’s COVID count is expected to increase. In Malleswaram, a local group has created a street plan to make 8th Cross COVID-safe, and has sought BBMP’s support for implementation.
Allocation of 1% of funds from BBMP budget, temporary grievance redressal cell, free public amenities in markets – these are some of the streets vendors demands to the BBMP.
Street vendors of HSR Layout participated in a rally to raise awareness about waste management and vowed that they would do their part to dispose of their waste responsibly.
The Federation of Street Vendor Unions of Bengaluru has called for a bandh on June 15th to protest against the atrocities meted out to them and against FDI in retail.
Brindavan Express is not quite as fast as it used to be, nor is it the unchallenged monarch of the Bangalore-Madras route. Similarly, life has changed for the author too, while he misses his childhood and memories.
There were many reasons for traffic congestion around Gandhi Bazaar, but evicting street vendors was seen as the only solution. Now, traffic is still messy here. What really could have been done?
What needs to be considered before coming up with a plan to decongest and improve Gandhi Bazaar? One can’t just start work at any time and say, ‘Market closed for repair’.
