The ‘No Vending Zone’ demarcated from Kutchery Chowk to Albert Ekka Chowk remains under the dominance of street sellers as the dedicated marketing complex meant for the street vendors’ is yet to be made serviceable. Despite the efforts of the Civic Body, the newly constructed ‘Atal Smriti Vendors’ Market’ is yet to get a competent agency for its operation and maintenance (O&M).

As per a senior official of Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC), the tender regarding the maintenance of the Vendors’ Market was floated recently. The first of its kind vendors’ market inaugurated on November 16, 2018 for the rehabilitation of the street vendors here is lying unused since past two months. “Tender was floated a while ago for hiring an experienced agency for O&M of the Vendors Market. Attempts are being made to start the vendors’ complex by mid-February,” said Mayor Asha Lakra.

Earlier in December 2018, a fresh proposal was put forward by RMC stating that a month will be required more to start the vendors’ complex.

Further, as per RMC officials, due to some technical hiccups like total number of registered vendors to be allocated place inside the street vendors, claims and objections matter including other issues, the operation of marketing complex has been hanging in the balance.

“Things are under process. No O&M agency has come forward. Soon, the Municipal Corporation will complete the task of finalising the list of street vendors’ to be settled down in the first phase there. So far, 227 claims and objections have been received by the Civic Body,” said RMC City Manager and In-charge DAY-NULM Cell, Vikash Kumar.

During the inauguration, it was announced that 127 street vendors will be settled there immediately. However, considering the intervention of the members of Town Vending Committee (TVC), the shifting process was kept on hold. As per the RMC estimate, the vendors’ market has a capacity of accommodating 472 street vendors’.

In 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, having all valid documents. The resurvey was completed on November 1.

Around 36,831 street vendors have been identified, out of which 5,901 street vendors are from Ranchi. Around16, 141 Identity (ID) cards have been distributed among the street vendors across the State.

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.