Designated and safe spaces should be provided for pushcart, handcart, and fast-food vendors – Dr. Srinivas

Relentless efforts for a 'Smart City' Udaipur

Udaipur | Known as the 'City of Lakes,' Udaipur is transforming into a 'Smart City' with the changing times. The government and various organizations are making concerted efforts to develop this tourist destination and keep it beautiful and clean. With this objective in mind, an online discussion on the topic "Udaipur – Smart City" was organized under the aegis of the *Janmat Manch* (Public Opinion Forum). Addressing the need for designated spaces for pushcart and handcart vendors in Udaipur, Dr. Srinivas, the founder and president of *Janmat Manch*, stated that small-scale vendors play a crucial role in the development of tourism.

These vendors provide convenient and affordable services to the general public. However, at present, most pushcart and handcart vendors operate wherever they find convenient—on roads, at intersections, in markets, and in public spaces—leading to traffic disruptions, localized pollution, and encroachment issues. Often, significant portions of the road are occupied, causing considerable inconvenience to motorists and pedestrians and increasing the risk of accidents. This problem becomes particularly acute around schools, hospitals, markets, and major intersections.

While the government, the Municipal Corporation, and the Smart City project are working to make Udaipur modern, clean, and well-organized, there remains a lack of proper, designated spaces for thousands of pushcart, handcart, and street-food vendors to conduct their business. If Udaipur is to truly become a smart and organized city, it is essential to make well-planned arrangements for these small-scale vendors. Merely removing encroachments is not a permanent solution to the problem.

Shirish Nath Mathur, Secretary of *Janmat Manch*, stated that the lack of designated spaces for pushcart, handcart, and fast-food vendors in Udaipur is becoming a serious issue. While the government and the municipal corporation speak of a "Smart City" and an organized urban environment, there is a lack of adequate and planned spaces for small business owners to operate.

Mathur suggested establishing food courts within sections of public parks; this would allow tourists to enjoy local cuisine in one location, provide business owners with secure, permanent spots, and prevent traffic disruptions. Such a move would reduce encroachment issues and the risk of accidents, while making the city appear cleaner, more organized, and more beautiful, and ensuring better park maintenance.

Forum Joint Secretaries Dr. Priyadarshi Ojha, Santosh Arora, and Dr. Kunal Ameta, among others, noted that

street vendors and *chaat* sellers are a vital part of Udaipur's economy. Simply removing them by labeling them as encroachers is not the solution. The government and municipal bodies should issue licenses and token numbers to them and develop organized vending zones to provide permanent locations. This would ensure dignified employment for small business owners while simultaneously improving the city's traffic flow, cleanliness, and aesthetics. They emphasized that the "Smart City" concept would only succeed if the interests of all sections of society—especially small business owners—are taken into account.

To resolve this issue, the government and local administration should conduct surveys across various city areas to identify suitable locations and develop planned vending zones there. Each pushcart and street vendor should be allocated a designated spot in accordance with regulations, enabling them to conduct their business with dignity.

This system would not only ensure smooth traffic flow but also enhance the beauty of Udaipur. It would reduce encroachment and the likelihood of accidents, while providing small business owners with an environment for stable and secure employment. Additionally, it would make it easier for the administration to maintain oversight and order. Therefore, it is urged that the Udaipur Municipal Corporation and relevant administrative officials promptly establish organized vending zones for pushcart, trolley, and *chaat* vendors. Allocating spaces to them in accordance with regulations will prove to be a significant step toward making Udaipur truly smart, safe, and well-organized.

The Udaipur Municipal Corporation should activate the Town Vending Committee under the Street Vendors Act, 2014, and establish vending zones without delay.

Suggestions from the *Janmat Manch* (Public Opinion Forum):

1. Survey and Zone Designation: The Municipal Corporation should conduct a comprehensive survey of the city and identify 'Smart Vending Zones' in tourist-heavy or congested areas such as Fateh Sagar, Pichola, Sukhadia Circle, the railway station, and the bus stand.

2. Licensing and Facilities: Each vendor should be issued a digital ID card and a license, and be allocated a designated spot. The zones should be equipped with facilities for water, electricity, waste disposal, and restrooms.

3. Uniformity and Aesthetics: All pushcarts should feature a standardized design and color scheme that complements Udaipur's heritage. This will enhance the city's beauty.

Child participant Riyansh Ojha recited a poem about Udaipur Smart City.