Footpath or food court? Saket residents fight for pedestrian space

Time of India

13-06-2025

New Delhi: In Saket, around D and E Blocks, footpaths are plenty — or at least, they appear to be.
From afar, the area boasts a well-developed pedestrian infrastructure. But by noon, much of it vanishes beneath something else: a dosa cart here, a fruit stall there, and in some spots, a full-blown dhaba sprawled across the walkway.
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By evening, it becomes a slalom course, not for vehicles, but pedestrians trying to dodge food stalls, parked bikes and even a public toilet planted mid-footpath.
For Anantnala Potdar, an evening walk is no longer possible. "The path used to be wide and smooth. Now I'm scared I'll fall if I try to walk there. It's not a footpath anymore. It's a food court," she said, gesturing towards the row of street carts.
Just ahead of her was a street vendor selling fruits. He has been here for over two decades. He said: "I've worked here for 23 years. I even took a loan under the PM SVANidhi scheme. This spot is mentioned on my certificate. Where else am I supposed to go?"
His eyes well up.
"This isn't a hobby. It's our rozi roti. I have two kids. Give us a proper space, and we'll go. But don't just push us out overnight."
Anantnala acknowledged the importance of street vendors but emphasised the need for balance. Certificates are okay, but before that, vending spots and respecting pedestrian needs are also important, she said. MCD must look for a balanced approach. Her concerns highlighted the growing issue of pedestrian safety and accessibility in the area.
Caught between these two worlds — the need to walk safely and the need to earn — are Delhi's footpaths, shrinking with each passing day. Now, resident welfare associations (RWAs) are raising their voices against the encroachment of footpaths. A campaign has been launched by RWAs. They are demanding the removal of encroachments from footpaths.
The campaign includes some days of standing with placards reading "Counsellors take action, footpaths for people, not for vendors or parking,".
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On other days, it involves a series of complaints to either the MCD or the police, and social media posts, tagging officials online.
Rakesh Dabas, president of the federation of RWAs, Saket, said that due to encroachments, people are forced to walk on roads, risking accidents. He added that they have started a campaign involving constant complaints with authorities. Although complaints are often lodged with the authorities, action is either delayed or not taken.
Therefore, this time a social media campaign has been launched.
He added that the main demand is for footpaths to be freed of encroachments and for walking paths to be properly marked on the roadside.
The vendors continue showing their Tehbazari certificates — the proof that govt allowed them to be there. "We're not hiding. We just need a proper place to stand," one vendor said. "We try not to block the footpath either."
"The stalls are here not just for 2-3 but 40 years. Where do we go? The certificate is by MCD. Further, we just need a place to sell. If footpaths are getting encroached, send us to a nearby place. We will sell there."
Arbind Singh, national coordinator of the National Association of Street Vendors of India (NASVI), said: "Just a blank statement—street vendors can't be on the footpath — is not right. They should be able to operate within designated spaces while ensuring pedestrian movement is not obstructed.
The tehbazari certificate and vending certificate are mostly the same. So, while residents' demand for footpath space is correct, street vendors are also not wrong.
MCD must come up with vending spots or zones. In the end, respecting the needs of all is crucial, and it should be a balanced approach. Also, it's not just vendors encroaching on footpaths."
An MCD official said: "We have previously conducted joint actions with the police and are planning more regular enforcement drives in the coming days." However, they did not respond to questions about certificates, mentioning specific site addresses or the creation of designated vending zones. Local police did not respond.
However, it's not just Saket. Footpath encroachment is a citywide concern. From street vendors to improper parking outside big showrooms, this has become a norm in the city.