Cuttack: Years after construction of designated vending zones in the city, more than 50 counters remain vacant and the facilities are yet to be made fully operational, residents and vendors said. As a result, roadside vending continues on busy stretches like Cantonment Road, Barabati Stadium area, Panchmukhi Hanuman ground, New Road in Kesharpur and Mata mutt leading to traffic congestion and pedestrian inconvenience.Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) had constructed vending zones to rehabilitate street vendors and streamline traffic movement. However, locals alleged that the delay in allotment and lack of basic amenities have kept vendors away from shifting to the earmarked spaces.
Sujit Das, a resident of Cantonment Road, said, “Encroachments have narrowed carriageways, especially during evening hours. The vending zones were meant to decongest prime areas. But with counters lying vacant, vendors have returned to the roads. Authorities must expedite allotment.”Similarly, near Mata mutt, temporary stalls line the roads despite the availability of constructed units elsewhere. Commuters said the situation worsens during peak hours, causing frequent traffic snarls.“Why have the designated spaces not been allotted to beneficiaries?” asked Prakash Agarwal, a social worker.“Unless the vending zones are made functional with proper amenities and transparent allotments, the objective of easing congestion and ensuring orderly urban management will remain unfulfilled,” he added.“We are ready to move if the facilities are adequate and customers can easily access the place. Despite several complaints to the CMC to allot spaces, there is no response,” claimed Laxmidhar Behera, a vendor at Barabati Stadium.CMC mayor Subhash Singh said, “The allotment process will be completed soon after scrutiny to ensure only eligible vendors are accommodated.”
