Latest news with #CSES

Time of India

Kochi corporation kicks off drive to relocate street vendors

Kochi: In a bid to regulate street vending and ease traffic and pedestrian congestion, Kochi Corporation has initiated steps to relocate street vendors to designated vending zones. The process will begin next week, starting with vendors operating along Shanmugham Road. Corporation officials said that notices will be issued to these vendors, asking them to shift to the identified vending zone on Abraham Madamakkal Road. Those who fail to comply will be evicted with the support of the police. "The corporation will provide kiosks to all the vendors. We have identified vending zones across the city to relocate them. This initiative aims to improve urban aesthetics while ensuring that vendors' livelihoods are protected," said a senior corporation official. After the new council assumed office in 2020, an initial survey was carried out to identify street vendors across the city. Based on this, temporary licences were granted. Later, re-surveys were conducted under the leadership of Kudumbashree and the Centre for Socio-Economic-Environmental Studies (CSES) to identify more eligible vendors. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo As a result, 2,351 vendors were approved through the town vending committee (TVC) following several verification processes. The corporation entrusted CSES with preparing the vending plan, which proposed 69 vending zones. These zones were approved by the TVC and the corporation council before being submitted to the state govt. In 2024, the Kerala govt officially approved the street vending zones and the supporting bylaw. However, concerns remain about the implementation. "While relocating vendors, the corporation must ensure that vacated spaces are not reoccupied by new vendors. Without strict enforcement, this move will fail to achieve its objective," said MG Aristotle, secretary of the UDF parliamentary party in the corporation. Lack of adequate space is another major challenge. Aristotle pointed out that the corporation had previously promised to relocate around 40 vendors from outside Ernakulam Market to within the market premises. "That promise remains unfulfilled. These vendors are still outside the market," he said. In Fort Kochi and adjacent divisions, the number of vendors identified officially is around 300, but more than 300 vendors are operating along the Fort Kochi Beach alone. Addressing such inconsistencies will be critical as the corporation rolls out its vendor rehabilitation programme. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .