Kurnool: The Municipal Corporation here has initiated plans to develop a Smart Street for petty vendors as part of a broader rehabilitation plan in a follow-up to their recent removal from footpaths.The plan aims to reduce urban congestion and promote a more-organised street vending system. Initially, 100 vendors are being provided with rehabilitation – and all vendors would be relocated in a phased manner. This decision comes amid a growing concern over rampant footpath encroachments. Many encroachments are done by thugs with help from politicians. They sublet them to small traders. These unauthorized shops have raised safety and mobility issues in areas such as the Nandyal Check Post, ITC Junction, RS Junction, Bangarupeta and Bellary Chowrasta. Blocked footpaths and roadside shops have forced pedestrians onto busy roads, causing traffic congestion. This increased the risk of accidents. Harried residents complain that despite regular “inspections” by officials and people’s representatives, no effective action has been taken. This, they stress, is due to political pressure. In some areas, vendors have even clashed with pedestrians who object to the encroachments. Allegations are also that certain shops are operating with silent nod from corrupt officials. Kurnool city, which has 52 municipal wards and a population of around 6.5 lakh, continues to grapple with a steady rise in the number of unauthorized shops. Civic officials are not inclined to take strong actions. The traffic police say they are entitled only to handle cases where encroachments obstruct vehicular movement. The rest is for the municipal authorities to handle. Municipal commissioner Ravindra Babu has appealed to all street vendors to cooperate with the present efforts to improve the traffic conditions in the city. At a recent meeting of the town vending committee, the commissioner outlined several initiatives to streamline the vending operations. He said vendors would soon receive ID cards and vending certificates to formalize their businesses. The municipal corporation plans to develop smart vending streets in Venkataramana Colony, C. Camp, and Birla Compound to accommodate these 100 vendors. A field-level inspection by the vending committee would be conducted before a final decision is made at the next meeting. Notably, a fresh survey of street vendors began on May 12. The commissioner urged vendors to cooperate with the ward sachivalayam staff by providing accurate information. Those already registered would have the opportunity to make changes or update their data.
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