Street Vendors No To Make Use of Mini Markets Available for Free In Mysuru
The mini markets constructed by Mysore Urban Development at certain locations across Mysuru city have remained unoccupied for close to 25 years and the mini markets have become resting for destitute persons and parking spaces for the residents
BENGALURU: Street vendors selling fruits and vegetables in Mysuru city have declined to operate from designated markets available for them “free-of-cost” at various locations and instead are used to sell their products on roadside which they consider convenient to operate and attract customers to do brisk business.
The mini markets constructed by Mysore Urban Development at certain locations across Mysuru city have remained unoccupied for close to 25 years and the mini markets have become resting for destitute persons and parking spaces for the residents.
One such mini market lies unused at ward number 45 of Sharadadevi Nagar in the city and the idea was to attract vendors to mini markets rather than on roads for selling fruits and vegetables. A former corporator Nirmala Harish stated “At least 3 attempts were made to welcome vendors to the mini markets and the efforts failed before the mini markets remained abandoned.”
“The space at the mini markets were made available for vendors for free but none came forward to conduct their business. It is because they are used to conducting their business on roads. They do not prefer to do their business at the designated place since the location is inside the main road besides the road leading to these mini markets are narrow which would lead to traffic congestion,” said the former corporator of the ward.
Nirmala, however, stated, “If street vendors are removed from the main roads and relocate them to operate from these mini markets, they are available for free, to make roads/footpaths free for pedestrian use."
A street vendor expressed fears “if we move to the mini market even though the spaces are available for free then other vendors doing business on roads will first draw customers and no one would come down to reach mini markets.”
Another mini market was found abandoned at Aravind Nagar under ward 64 of City Corporation and a resident stated “The structure was constructed about 25 years back and not put into use. Now,. The place is used by the destitute and persons to booze.” City Corporation officials could not be contacted.