Noida Authority’s plan to create vendors’ zone remain on paper

Under the scheme, the authority will allot space to vendors in the city who currently encroach upon pavements.

The Noida authority’s plan to create a vendors’ zone is stuck in the files for months. Under the scheme, the authority will allot space to vendors in the city who currently encroach upon pavements, service roads and public utility places, causing a lot of inconvenience to the residents.

The plan to develop the zone was mooted nearly two years ago, but the authority sent the proposal for approval to the Uttar Pradesh government just three weeks ago. (Sunil Ghosh/HT Photo)

The plan to develop the zone was mooted nearly two years ago, but the authority sent the proposal for approval to the Uttar Pradesh government just three weeks ago.

“We sent a proposal for setting up a town vending committee to the UP government three weeks ago. Once the proposal is approved, the committee will look into creating the zone, selecting vendors and framing rules,” said Saumya Srivastava, deputy chief executive officer Noida authority.

Read: Greater Noida street vendors to get kiosks of same colour

With the announcement of the scheme, the vendors are hopeful that the authority will allocate space to them in a dedicated zone where they can run their businesses without the fear of action by the district administration.

“Vendors are considered encroachers. Most of them are immigrants or laid-off workers and work for 10–12 hours a day. Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014 protects their rights but the district administration has failed to provide them space,” said Arvind Singh of the national association of street vendors of India (Nasvi).

Various people’s representative bodies, local leaders and members of market associations have appealed to the district administration to create town vending committee.

“We have repeatedly raised the issue with the Noida authority following a public outcry on rampant encroachments mainly in and around prominent markets. We will talk to the authority soon,” said Bachhu Singh, city magistrate of Noida.