The Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) finds itself in a familiar predicament as street vendors have swiftly returned to occupy footpaths across the city, mere days after a major eviction drive aimed at clearing pedestrian pathways. This rapid return has exposed the challenges of sustainable urban governance in Assam's largest city.
The Never-Ending Cycle of Eviction and Return
Municipal authorities had conducted extensive drives to remove unauthorized vendors from key locations including Fancy Bazar, GS Road, and Ganeshguri areas. The operation involved multiple squads working to restore pedestrian access and improve urban aesthetics. However, within 48 hours of the crackdown, vendors began reclaiming their spots, bringing back the very congestion the GMC sought to eliminate.
"The situation is frustratingly familiar," admitted a GMC official who spoke on condition of anonymity. "We clear areas with significant effort and resources, only to find vendors returning within days. It's like trying to empty water with a sieve."
Vendors' Dilemma: Livelihood Versus Law
For the street vendors, the footpaths represent their only means of survival. "Where else should we go?" questions Rajesh Das, a fruit vendor who has operated near Fancy Bazar for fifteen years. "The municipal corporation talks about rehabilitation, but we haven't seen any alternative spaces. Our families depend on this income - we have no choice but to return."
Many vendors argue that they serve an important economic function, providing affordable goods to city residents while supporting their own families. The absence of formal vending zones or designated markets leaves them with limited options.
Pedestrians Bear the Brunt
The returning vendors have renewed complaints from pedestrians and local residents. "Walking on these footpaths has become an obstacle course," says Priyanka Sharma, a college student. "We're forced to walk on the roads, risking our lives in traffic. The eviction drives provide temporary relief, but the problem always returns."
Senior citizens and people with disabilities are particularly affected, as navigating through vendor-occupied footpaths becomes increasingly challenging and hazardous.
GMC's Rehabilitation Promise Remains Unfulfilled
Municipal authorities acknowledge that eviction alone cannot solve the complex issue. The GMC had previously discussed creating designated vending zones and implementing a proper vendor registration system under the Street Vendors Act. However, these plans have seen little progress on the ground.
"Without providing alternative livelihood options or designated vending spaces, these eviction drives are merely cosmetic solutions," observes urban planning expert Dr. Ananya Baruah. "The city needs a comprehensive vendor rehabilitation policy that balances urban order with economic realities."
The Way Forward
The recurring pattern suggests that a more sustainable approach is needed. Potential solutions include:
- Establishing designated vending zones in different parts of the city
- Implementing a proper registration and licensing system
- Creating time-based vending regulations for different areas
- Developing infrastructure that accommodates both vendors and pedestrians
As the standoff continues, both vendors and municipal authorities remain locked in a cycle that serves neither party's long-term interests. The situation highlights the broader challenges of urban management in rapidly growing Indian cities, where informal economies and formal urban planning often collide.
Until a balanced solution emerges that addresses both livelihood concerns and urban秩序 requirements, Guwahati's footpaths are likely to remain contested spaces in the ongoing battle between survival and city planning.
