The Finance and Contracts Committee (F&CC) of the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation has given its crucial approval to relocate a planned street vending zone to a new site near Chand Cinema. This move comes as civic officials scramble to complete the project before the national Smart City Mission concludes at the end of March.
Race Against the March Deadline
Officials stated that wrapping up the work before March is imperative, as the project is being funded under the Smart City Mission, which is set to wind up that month. While significant groundwork has already been laid by the civic body, the construction of the vendor shed remains pending. Once the shed is complete, authorities will begin shifting street vendors to this newly designated zone.
A History of False Starts and Land Issues
The journey to establish this vending zone has been marked by obstacles. In their proposal to the F&CC, MC officials revealed that a site on Hambran Road near the dairy complex was initially selected. A contractor was allocated the work in September 2022 for a project cost of Rs 1.20 crore.
However, plans hit a major snag when it was discovered that the chosen land was actually a parking lot, making it unsuitable for conversion into a vending point. Subsequently, land in front of the sub-registrar (West) office was considered, but it was found to be reserved for the construction of an urban water and wastewater management office under a World Bank project.
New Site Selected, But Not Without Controversy
The current solution emerged when MLA North Madan Lal Bagga identified a vacant plot for the vending point. The selected land is located on Chand Cinema Road in front of Shiv Mandir and is owned by the Municipal Corporation itself. Although officials sought F&CC approval for this site in October 2025, members asked them to revisit the issue in the next meeting, emphasizing the pressing need for approval given the tight March deadline.
This new location, however, has also faced criticism from local activists. They have raised objections, claiming the site is a green belt and accusing authorities of poor planning. Activists argue that several green belts in the city have already been damaged for various projects.
The approval from the F&CC now sets the stage for a final push to complete the long-delayed vending zone, aiming to provide a structured space for street vendors while adhering to the Smart City Mission's timeline.
