Chandigarh: To resolve a long-standing deadlock with street vendors who challenged their relocation to an “isolated” site in court, the Town Vending Committee (TVC) is set to present three alternative options to the Sector 53 vendors in its upcoming meeting on Wednesday.The move comes after Sector 53 vendors approached the Punjab and Haryana high court, alleging that the current site lacks basic infrastructure and customer footfall. To persuade them, the Chandigarh municipal corporation (MC) has proposed upgrading the current site, reallocating them to vacant spots across 11 sectors, or offering them space in four upcoming vending zones.Under the first option, the civic body aims to make Sector 53 viable by adding essential facilities and launching customer attraction drives. In an affidavit filed before the Supreme Court, the corporation affirmed that basic amenities—including signage, tile markings, drinking water, public toilets, and functional lighting—are already verified and in place. The agenda notes that Sector 53 holds strong commercial potential due to its proximity to heavily populated residential catchments in Sectors 48, 49, 50, and 51, whose residents frequently travel nearby for daily shopping.Under the second option, vendors can apply for alternative allotment in existing zones where over 850 sites remain vacant across 11 sectors. Interested vendors will submit their top three preferences, after which site allotments will be decided via a draw of lots.The third option allows Sector 53 vendors to seek space in four newly planned or under-construction vending zones. Under this plan, remaining sites will be allocated to Sector 53 vendors after local surveyed vendors in those new sectors are accommodated first.
