Vendors along JP Ganga Path operate in unhygienic conditions

Patna: The stretch along JP Ganga Path has remained in limbo for over four months, as the planned relocation of street vendors to the Digha vending zone continues to face delays. Though the Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) had aimed to complete the project by early April and hand over the facility, vendors are still operating in unhygienic conditions along the riverbank.Patna mayor Sita Sahu said efforts are underway to resolve the issue. “The area has been levelled and planned as an open vending zone. The aim is to hand it over to vendors at the earliest. They can shift while the remaining work is completed simultaneously. The handover should be done by the end of May,” she said.However, vendors have expressed frustration over the lack of progress and communication. Raman Kumar Nirala, vice-president of the JP Gangapath Street Vendors Association, said key infrastructure such as drainage remains incomplete. “We were assured the work would be finished in 45 days, but four months have passed without any update. Instead of clarity, we were warned against protesting. Erratic weather and recent rain have further worsened conditions, with sand along the riverbank contaminating food items,” he said.The proposed vending zone near Digha Golambar spans 1.93 acres and is being developed at a cost of over Rs 59 lakh. It is designed to accommodate around 250 carts, with plans for PCC roads, drainage systems and street lighting to create an organised vending space.In the long term, the project envisions an upgraded public space with an entertainment zone, children’s play area, seating arrangements, parking, public toilets and landscaping. But for now, vendors remain focused on the immediate need for a stable and hygienic working environment.