Nagpur: The nightmare for shoppers and headache for babus continue with no relief in sight when one visits Sitabuldi Main Road where invasion by ‘die-hard’ hawkers has posed ‘no-win’ situation for Nagpurians. But still there is ‘no war cry.’
The persistent conflict between shopkeepers and street hawkers along Sitabuldi Main Road in Nagpur has become a longstanding issue, extending over the past 30 years. The situation has escalated significantly, with the number of hawkers surging from 70 to a staggering 700.
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10 May 2025
The dispute, originating three decades ago, has seen a notable increase in the number of street hawkers. This surge has intensified the rivalry between established shopkeepers and the hawkers, who attract customers with lower prices, diverting business away from registered stores. The adverse effect on sales for shopkeepers has been substantial, leaving them in a state of helplessness.
Despite court orders and repeated submissions of written affidavits by authorities over the years, little progress has been made in resolving the issue. In 2000, the court explicitly declared Sitabuldi Main Road as a non-hawking zone. The Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014, enacted nationwide, was also adopted by the State of Maharashtra. Rule 11 of the Maharashtra Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Rules, 2016, outlines the formation of the Town Vending Committee, with the Municipal Commissioner serving as its Chairman.
The Nagpur Municipal Corporation, in October 2001, designated Sitabuldi Main Road as a non-hawking zone as part of its hawking and non-hawking zone policy. The Traffic Department of Nagpur Police, in 2016, explicitly objected to hawking near Sitabuldi Temple Bazaar, Buty Hospital, and Sitabuldi Main Road due to potential disruptions to traffic flow and concerns about law and order.
The unchecked proliferation of hawkers has not only strained the relationship between shopkeepers and street vendors but has also created a challenging environment for shoppers and local authorities. The conflict not only affects the livelihoods of shopkeepers but also poses potential threats to public safety and order.
The failure to enforce existing laws and regulations has allowed the situation to persist and worsen. To address the ongoing conflict, it is imperative that the authorities take decisive action in accordance with existing legal frameworks. The effective implementation of the Street Vendors Act, along with consistent monitoring and enforcement, is crucial for restoring order, protecting businesses, and ensuring the safety of the public.
