Encroachment of Amira Kadal bridge hampers pedestrian movement

Encroachment of pedestrian space by roadside vendors at Amira Kadal bridge is severely hampering movement of pedestrians on one of the busiest public places in the summer capital. A spot assessment of the bridge revealed that a section of the pedestrian walkway is occupied by vendors selling fruits,fish, garments and other items making commuters walk through narrow spaces amid heavy vehicular movement. Owais Amin, a student who frequently passes through the area, said authorities should earmark a fixed space for vendors. “Instead of complete removal, authorities could fix the position of vending carts or define clear limits so that pedestrians have adequate walking space,” he said. Another local blamed the authorities for allowing the situation to continue for years. “This encroachment should have been stopped in the beginning. Since it was allowed to continue for so long, any removal drive now should be carried out only after proper consultation with vendors and other stakeholders,” he said. Another pedestrian suggested regulating traffic from Jahangir Chowk to Clock Tower via Amira Kadal and allowing only auto-rickshaws on the stretch to reduce congestion would be a balancing act between public interest and livelihood. A senior citizen said that although encroachment has caused inconvenience, unemployment cannot be ignored. “There are certainly problems but looking at the present status of unemployment people have learned to compromise,” he said. Mushtaq Ahmad, who has been vending at the spot for the past 15 years, said the income from his stall supports his entire family. “My daughter is pursuing medical education while my other children are in college. Their education depends on my income. If I am removed without any alternative arrangement, my family could be pushed onto the streets,” he said. Umar, another vendor, said they have no objection to shifting if the government provides them with a suitable alternative. “We are not insisting on staying here. If the authorities provide us a place like the one arranged for some vendors at Makkah Market, we will happily move, “he said. Asif Farooq, a Commerce graduate has been working on the bridge for the past 11 years. “Unemployment had forced me tinto street vending. “If the government wants us to relocate, we should be shifted to a place where our income and customer base is not affected. We only want our livelihood to continue,” he said. A fisherwoman said the place had become closely linked to the survival of her family over the years. “Over the years this market has become well known. Our livelihood and emotions are attached to this place because our families survive on what we earn here, “she said. “The problem is no longer simply about encroachment but about finding a humane and practical solution that addresses both urban order and economic survival,” said Abdul Hamid, a commuter. Officials said the problem has persisted as the number of vendors has outgrown the capacity of existing vending zones. Authorities are working on identification of identification at various areas of the city for vendors.

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