Cuttack's Vending Zones Fail to Ease Traffic as Counters Remain Vacant
Years after the construction of designated vending zones in Cuttack, more than 50 counters are still vacant, and the facilities have not been made fully operational, according to residents and vendors. This has led to a resurgence of roadside vending on busy stretches, exacerbating traffic congestion and pedestrian inconvenience across the city.
Traffic Woes Persist on Key Roads
As a result of the non-functional vending zones, roadside vending continues unabated on critical areas such as Cantonment Road, the Barabati Stadium area, Panchmukhi Hanuman ground, New Road in Kesharpur, and near Mata mutt. This has significantly narrowed carriageways, particularly during evening hours, causing frequent traffic snarls and safety hazards for commuters.
Sujit Das, a resident of Cantonment Road, expressed frustration, stating, "Encroachments have severely narrowed the roads, especially in the evenings. The vending zones were intended to decongest these prime areas, but with counters lying empty, vendors have simply returned to the streets. Authorities must expedite the allotment process to address this issue."
Delays in Allotment and Lack of Amenities
The Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) had constructed these vending zones with the dual objective of rehabilitating street vendors and streamlining traffic movement. However, locals allege that prolonged delays in allotment and the absence of basic amenities have deterred vendors from shifting to the earmarked spaces.
Near Mata mutt, for instance, temporary stalls continue to line the roads despite the availability of constructed units elsewhere. Commuters report that the situation deteriorates during peak hours, leading to chaotic traffic conditions. Prakash Agarwal, a social worker, questioned, "Why have these designated spaces not been allotted to the intended beneficiaries? This delay undermines the entire purpose of the project."
Vendors Await Adequate Facilities
Vendors themselves are hesitant to move without proper facilities. Laxmidhar Behera, a vendor at Barabati Stadium, claimed, "We are ready to relocate if the facilities are adequate and customers can easily access the place. Despite numerous complaints to the CMC requesting space allotments, there has been no response, leaving us in limbo."
Prakash Agarwal added a critical perspective, emphasizing, "Unless the vending zones are made functional with proper amenities and transparent allotments, the goals of easing congestion and ensuring orderly urban management will remain unfulfilled. This situation highlights a systemic failure in implementation."
CMC's Response and Future Plans
In response to these concerns, CMC Mayor Subhash Singh assured that the allotment process is underway. He stated, "The allotment process will be completed soon after a thorough scrutiny to ensure that only eligible vendors are accommodated. We are committed to resolving this issue and making the vending zones operational."
Despite these assurances, the current state of affairs suggests that significant challenges remain. The vacancy of over 50 counters not only wastes public resources but also perpetuates traffic problems, affecting daily life in Cuttack. Residents and vendors alike are calling for immediate action to activate these zones, improve amenities, and enforce transparent allotment procedures to achieve the intended benefits of reduced congestion and better urban management.
