Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) has announced its plans to establish two designated street food vending zones, known as Khao Gali, in an effort to resolve the ongoing conflict between law enforcement agencies and street vendors. The selected locations for these zones are the road connecting Panbazar to Guwahati railway station and the area in front of Dighalipukhuri, which has already become a popular food hub.
Mayor Mrigen Sarania, speaking to TOI, stated that the GMC aims to create these designated vending zones within the next one to two months. The primary objective is to put an end to the clashes between law enforcement agencies and street vendors, allowing the vendors to conduct their business legally and without hindrance. Additionally, the mayor expressed hope that the demarcation of these zones will attract more young entrepreneurs to the street food business, thus contributing to the reduction of unemployment rates in the region.
Currently, owners of food stalls in the Dighalipukhuri area have been facing frequent threats of eviction from GMC officials. They claimed to be constantly at risk of evacuation, with accusations of littering the area being the main reason cited. Despite their efforts to clean up the stretch nightly before closing their stalls, they live in fear of losing their business.
Previously, the Ariz Path area, which connected Guwahati Club to the Barowari region, had been designated as a street food vending zone. However, due to the traffic congestion caused by the food stalls, it was eventually shut down.
By designating specific areas as food vending zones, the GMC aims to provide legitimacy and security to street food vendors. This move is expected to benefit both the vendors and the local economy by encouraging more individuals to venture into street food entrepreneurship.
The GMC’s decision to establish Khao Gali zones is seen as a positive step towards resolving the conflict between law enforcement agencies and street vendors. It not only provides a legal platform for vendors to operate but also mitigates concerns related to littering by implementing appropriate hygiene measures.
As the demarcation of the food zones progresses, it is hoped that the new vending areas will create opportunities for unemployed youth to enter the street food business, fostering entrepreneurship and economic growth in Guwahati.
In conclusion, the establishment of Khao Gali zones by the GMC aims to bring an end to the long-standing conflict between law enforcement agencies and street vendors in Guwahati. By designating specific areas for street food vending, the GMC hopes to provide legitimacy to the vendors’ businesses while attracting more young entrepreneurs to the industry. This move is expected to not only reduce unemployment rates but also contribute to the overall growth of the local economy.
