Chandigarh Municipal Corporation Takes a Stand Against Illegal Street Vendors
Chandigarh – City residents can soon expect greater order in street vending as the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation (MC) rolls out an innovative monitoring system aimed at regulating illegal vendors. This bold initiative includes the issuance of smart ID cards and hologram-embedded certificates to ensure transparency and improve enforcement within the city.
In a proactive step to restore regulatory measures, the MC has developed a high-tech strategy that features various advanced technologies like geofencing, a mobile tracking application, and real-time CCTV surveillance. According to a 2016 survey, Chandigarh had 10,903 registered street vendors; however, this figure has decreased to 4,032 due to the cancellation of licences for 6,871 vendors who failed to pay their dues, amounting to a significant ₹75 crore, leaving many parts of the city cluttered with illegal vendors.
Despite prior enforcement efforts, unregistered vendors continue to occupy streets, sidewalks, and parking spaces, particularly in no-vending zones like Sector 17. “To combat this issue, we are issuing tamper-proof electromagnetic certificates to authenticate registered vendors,” said Joint Commissioner Sumit Sihag. He emphasized that the holograms would aid immediate identification of illegal operators.
The initiative includes chip-based IDs containing essential vendor information and geofencing technology to alert enforcement if vendors stray from designated zones. Additionally, a mobile app will allow real-time location tracking, while a central control room will oversee CCTV feeds in busy market areas including Sector 15 and Sector 22.
In a recent sweep, 52 notices were issued during a surprise inspection, signaling a renewed commitment to restore public order in Chandigarh’s commercial spaces. The pilot program is set to significantly enhance the MC’s ability to manage street vending, making it a safer and more organized environment for both residents and legitimate vendors.
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