There seems to be no end to the hawker’s problem in T. Nagar. Those on Usman Road refuse to move into the vendor’s complex built for them. Now, pavement vendors from Pondy Bazaar who moved in a year ago, are contemplating moving out. They complain the footfalls are not sufficient.
A few months after the three-storey complex was opened, some vendors on the second and third floor pulled the shutters down and went looking for alternative livelihood.
Now, the third floor is completely unoccupied. And, of the 275 shops on second floor, only 15 function. While many pedestrians are happy that Pondy Bazaar has been decongested and want it to stay that way, these hawkers are looking for an inclusive space, where their livelihood is assured.
“We were happy to come to the complex. But within two months, we realised that this is a failed concept. None of those who would buy from us on the roads wants to walk into the complex. While the ground and first floors are doing some business, those on the second floor have hardly any customers. We cannot continue like this for long,” says Jothi K., vice-president of the hawkers’ association.
These vendors say Pondy Bazaar is a commercial area, where people come to shop and not for a walk.
“The platforms here are 15 feet wide. The Corporation can regularise the hawkers on the footpaths itself by giving us at least a space of five feet.
The remaining could be for the pedestrians,” another hawker says.
These hawkers don’t accept the argument that their presence on the platform causes traffic problems in the area.
“Show me a place where there is no traffic issue. The Corporation’s argument that we are causing traffic is just an excuse to move us out. If you walk on pavements now, you will find that showrooms have now encroached the pavements. And nothing has been done about it. We are just easy targets,” Jothi adds.
While shoppers like Kanchana prefer the complex, which she says is a neater set-up, Rashmi, a college student, says she liked the idea of shopping on the streets.
Still others say that modernisation and more amenities inside the complex may increase its appeal.
The hawkers, meanwhile, have written to the CM’s Cell.
They are also planning to stage a demonstration if their demands are not met.
