Vendors pose problem for SMC

SURAT, Aug 1: After evicting the vegetable-vendors from in front of Bulkabhavan, SMC authorities now want to shift them to a new place. H...

SURAT, Aug 1: After evicting the vegetable-vendors from in front of Bulkabhavan, SMC authorities now want to shift them to a new place. However, with the 200-odd vegetable vendors, currently operating from Adajan road, refusing to move and councillors supporting them, the task seems getting difficult by the day.

Though Assistant Commissioner K C Mehta wanted all the vendors to shift to the ground floor of a building 8212; named the Vegetable market8217; 8212; in the area, the elected representatives of the SMC seemed opposed to the idea as the three-storeyed building, inaugurated by former mayor Savita Sharda on June 2, 1999, was primarily constructed for housing the fourth-class civic employees.

Suggesting that the vendors be accommodated in a plot near the building, after erecting a compound wall, former standing committee chairman Ajay Choksi said.8220;It will not be practical to shift vegetable vendors to a residential apartment as it will create a lot disturbance for the 84 odd-employees who will live there.8221;

The vegetable vendors, however, are unwilling to shift there for different reasons. 8220;Space there is less. Moreover, it is an odd place. Our sale is bound to be affected there,8221; Kanchanben Patel, a vegetable-vendor told Express Newsline, when asked why they were not willing to shift.

Said Bulkabhavan Subzi Market Association President Ramanbhai Patel, 8220;Instead of shifting us to a place where there is no adequate space, the SMC should give us a separate plot, preferably right behind the road. We are willing to pay for it. Moreover, it would be good gesture as 60 per cent vendors are women and most them are widows.8221;

Ajit Desai 8212; who represents Ward No 31 where the vegetable market is located 8212; justified the eviction of the vegetable vendors from in front of Bulkabhavan, saying that it led to traffic congestion there. There was a school very close to the vegetable market, which is why the vendors had to be shifted, he said, adding that now they were looking for an other place for them. 8220;We are in the process of finalising a plan for this purpose,8221; he added.

Earlier, the vegetable market was located in front of Bulkabhavan where former Municipal Commissioner S R Rao had provided the vendors with pucca sheds. But soon after his transfer, the land was sold to a builder who constructed a shopping plaza there.