Chennai: The absence of regulation designating vending and non-vending zones in Tambaram has left pavements vulnerable to unchecked encroachments. Though the civic body identified hawkers and food stalls that encroached on the pedestrian space, no action has been taken to clear them. Residents have to put up with street vendors occupying pavements, especially near the Tambaram Railway Station, bus stand, Chromepet bus depot and East Tambaram. Pedestrians are forced to walk on busy roads, increasing the risk of accidents. This raises concerns over safety and traffic management.Locals says several shops have been functioning for years without authorisation, while others appear seasonally, setting up stalls in any available space. Unlike Greater Chennai Corporation, Tambaram Corporation does not have a dedicated town vending committee or a structured system to regulate street vending, leaving questions about how these shops are allowed to operate. Officials earlier identified nearly 5,000 hawkers occupying pavements across the city. In Dec last year, the corporation announced plans to designate specific vending and non-vending zones to regulate street trade. Months later, the proposal remains unimplemented. V Saritha, secretary of the Ganesh Nagar residents welfare association, said that a large number of shops in the Tambaram market operate without valid licences. “There are at least 800 shops near the bus stand, but only around 400 have proper licences. Some vendors pay bribes to continue their business,” she said.She also said that in areas like Pallavaram and East Tambaram, bunk shops occupy most of the pavement space, leaving little room for pedestrians. She urged the corporation to form a vigilance team to carry out regular eviction drives.A senior corporation official said, “Encroachment removal drives are conducted once every two weeks. However, vendors return shortly after. Plans to establish vending and non-vending zones are under way, and vendors will soon be relocated,” the official added.
