Even after a month of its formal inauguration, the newly constructed ‘Atal Smriti Vendors Market’ is lying unused. The reason: the Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) is yet to rope in a competent operation and maintenance (O&M) agency. The structure was inaugurated on November 16 for the rehabilitation of street vendors, often blamed for creating havoc alongside the busiest avenues.
After its inauguration, it was presumed that the State Capital’s busy arteries will get rid of regular traffic chaos once the marketing complex is made serviceable yet the ‘No Vending Zone’ remains under the ascendancy of street sellers. Now, a fresh proposal put forward by RMC clearly states that a month’s time will be required more to start the vendors’ complex.
“No O&M agency has come forward. Hence, the operation of the vendors market cannot be started now. Things are under process. During a meeting on December 8, the tentative dates have been released. In accordance to the plan, the first list will be released on January 10, 2019. At least, five days time (from January 15 to 20) will be given to the street vendors to shift there and from January 21, the lane Kutchery Chowk to Albert Ekka Chowk will be declared as ‘No Vending Zone,” said RMC City Manager and In-charge DAY-NULM Cell, Vikash Kumar.
Further, as per the City Manager associated with the work of allocating proper space to the street vendors at the respective market added that claims and objections are being received while the drafting of the final list will be completed soon. “Some 330 vendors have been short-listed whereas a few more will be added in the list shortly,” said Kumar.
During the first survey as many as 660 vendors were registered in the list. A number of objections were entertained as it was found that the actual strength of street vendors is 541, those who have all valid documents. The resurvey was completed on November 1.
During the inauguration, it was announced that 127 street vendors will be settled down there immediately, however, considering the intervention of the members of Town Vending Committee (TVC), the shifting process was kept on hold. The vendors’ market has a capacity of accommodating 472 street vendors’.
The building (G+5) that cover a carpet area of 2,94,240 sq. feet with basements, a banquet hall, a cafeteria, 23 offices, 472 kiosks, 108 shops is the first and the biggest Vendors Market of the State with all State-of-the- Art facilities. Constructed at a cost of Rs. 54 crore granted by the Government of Jharkhand (GoJ) has advance facilities ranging from CCTV cameras, fire extinguishers, public announcement systems, advance parking service, landscaping and fountains have been equipped inside the building for better crowd management and maintenance.
Following the guidelines of GoI including the State, around 36,831 street vendors have been identified, out of which 5,901 street vendors are from Ranchi, as per the State government’s record. Around16, 141 Identity (ID) cards have been distributed among the street vendors across the State while 238 street vendors have been linked with banking facilities.
