Regulation of hawkers in Trichy city unlikely before Diwali

Trichy: The revised survey of street vendors conducted by Trichy corporation has enumerated 6,220 of them in all five zones here, with as many as 989 new names added in the revised and final list. Though this means that the vending committee, a regulatory body to streamline the vendors, is only a step away, it is unlikely to be formed before Diwali. Residents will have to endure the chaos on commercial streets in the ensuing festival too.
The GPS-enabled survey conducted by Trichy corporation through a Chennai-based agency last year had identified 5,231 street vendors.However, vendors across the city refused to accept the survey claiming it had errors in names, locations and photographs. Subsequently, the local body took up a revised survey to include those who were missing. Stating that the survey has identified a comprehensive list of 6,220 vendors, the local body has notified the list in all five zonal offices. "This is the final list as we have included all those vendors who claimed to have been missing. Corrections were completed too and the next step will be conduct of an election to select six representatives of street vendors to the committee," a senior corporation official said.
Once the election is over, the 15-member street vending committee will discuss and identify viable vending and no-vending zones. Narrow roads and congestion-prone intersections will be declared as no vending zone to prevent traffic congestions. Presently, vendors occupy a portion of carriageways and pavements on major roads.
In the vending zones, the local body will develop basic amenities such as drinking water and toilets, facilities which vendors don't have now. Annual user fee will be collected from them for the amenities. However, as Diwali is only a month away, Trichy corporation is doubtful of completing the election before the festival. Since the corporation council has to approve the conduct of the election and pass a resolution, the administrative process may consume more time.
"Nomination of contestants and subsequent procedures could be completed before Diwali, but election may happen after the festival since the time available is too short. We will soon announce the date and venue for the vending committee election," an assistant commissioner told TOI.