Vendors protest against non-allocation of space

Trichy: Condemning Trichy corporation for not allocating appropriate space for around 120 street vendors relocated from NSB Road near Rockfort, platform shop merchant association affiliated to AITUC held a demonstration near Main Guard Gate here on Monday. The protesters said that the vendors who were relocated about four months ago without an alternative site have lost their business.Around 120 street vendors were vacated by the local body citing high court orders in Jan. Areas near St Joseph's School close to Chathiram bus stand, the front portion of the Poompuhar handicrafts showroom in Singarathope, and Fort Station Road were suggested as alternative sites through the street vending committee. However, the association claimed that appropriate space was not earmarked, and vendors could not continue business at the alternative sites. "The site proposed near Chathiram bus stand is undergoing construction work. In other areas, street vendors are already present. Relocating another batch may fuel troubles," S Selvi, a representative of street vendors, said. The protesters said that some of the vendors returned to NSB Road, continuing business from bicycles, thus collapsing the very purpose of naming NSB Road a no-vending zone. Meanwhile, in a peace talk convened by the corporation, the protesting vendors were told that space will be earmarked in alternative sites within the next few days.