Corpn to arrange loan to buy pushcarts for street vendors

A Chennai Corporation official said that the loan would be arranged with the help of Tamil Nadu Corporation for Development of Women Limited. “We have prepared a draft vending bylaws, which awaits the State government’s nod. Once the government approves the rules, we will help the street vendors apart from regulating them. This is will prevent them from falling into usury. The loan can be repaid in monthly instalments,” he added.

The civic body had released the draft bylaws a few months ago and requested the public and street vendors to send their suggestions and objections pertaining to them. As no suggestion or objection was received, the draft was sent for the government’s approval. “Once the government approves the bylaws, street vending in the city will be regularised,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Chennai Corporation has issued a circular to its ward-level officials to demarcate vending and non-vending zones across the city.

The official pointed out that the delay in demarcating vending and non-vending zones and regulating street vendors was due to the Lok Sabha election.

As per the bylaws, town vending committees of respective zones would decide on the number of street vendors to be permitted on roads, keeping the vehicle and pedestrian movements in mind. Street vending would be banned on the streets that are 3 to 5 meters wide and vending might be allowed on one side of the roads with a width of 5 to 6 meters. On the roads with 10 meters wide, vending would be allowed on both sides. Street vending would not be allowed in ASI notified places.

To setup stationary roadside shops or pushcart shops, vendors should pay monthly maintenance charges to the civic body.