A new crackdown by the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation, targeting the unauthorized use of roads and sidewalks for commerce, is raising serious concerns among the city’s street vendors. Many fear this initiative could jeopardize their ability to earn a living by selling affordable fast food from their familiar spots.
On Tuesday, a significant number of hawkers who operate food carts across the city gathered in protest outside the Corporation office. Organized under the Trivandrum District Street Vendors Union (AITUC), they urgently called on civic authorities to safeguard their only source of income.
The latest phase of the eviction drive specifically targeted street vendors operating along the bustling All Saints-Chakka thoroughfare.
Michael Bastin, vice president of the Kerala State Street Vendors Union (affiliated with AITUC), explained to The Hindu that the eviction was initially intended to remove larger businesses and their food carts from illegally occupying pavement and road space.
“However, it appears the drive has lost its original focus and is now unfairly targeting the working class who depend on selling street food to ordinary citizens, many of whom cannot afford expensive hotel meals,” he stated.
Among the protesters were Sobhana, a vendor of diced vegetables; Sheeja, who runs a small tea shop; and Rajila, who manages a pani puri cart. They highlighted that a substantial portion of their earnings comes from the crowds frequenting Shanghumughom Beach and Veli tourist village during the evenings.
Recently, Corporation officials also removed food carts along the Kowdiar-Vellayambalam-Vazhuthacaud-Cotton Hill School stretch and cracked down on vendors on the Kesavadasapuram-Parottukonam road.
According to Corporation officials, the issue escalated when several hoteliers and large-scale caterers began setting up their own food carts and sidewalk eateries, displacing genuine, smaller street vendors. These mobile catering units often caused traffic jams during peak evening hours and compromised pedestrian safety by forcing people into vehicle traffic lanes.
Furthermore, the Corporation expressed concerns about the food safety standards of some wayside eateries and strongly objected to the widespread littering, including food waste, dishwater, and discarded cups and paper plates.
Despite the enforcement, an official assured that the Corporation has no intention of abandoning the street vendors. Plans are underway to establish designated vending zones throughout the city. These zones will be equipped with proper facilities for garbage and wastewater disposal and will include popular weekend tourist spots like beaches and tourist villages, offering vendors a regulated space to operate.