Belagavi’s street vendors await commercial zone implementation

Belagavi

Despite over 2,800 registered street vendors, the promised commercial zone under the Smart City Mission remains unimplemented in Belagavi. Thousands of pending applications for registration with the Belagavi City Corporation (BCC) have left vendors to operate from congested, unregulated spaces, contributing to daily traffic snarls.

Over 4,000 roadside shops have emerged in recent years, with around 2,800 officially registered with BCC. The rest operate illegally, further congesting roads. Residents complain of constant traffic jams caused by these encroachments. While BCC officials continue to issue vendor identity cards, this remains a temporary solution.

A resident, Prakash, alleged that vendors were being charged illegal ‘rent,’ with some funds potentially siphoned off. Local corporators noted that land for commercial zones has been identified in places like Kotwal Galli, the old vegetable market, and Basavanna Galli. However, illegal structures set up by unregistered vendors need to be dismantled first.

It is estimated that BCC could earn between Rs 60,000 to Rs 80,000 daily from vendor fees, which would generate around Rs 2.5 crore annually. BCC Commissioner B Shubha assured that only vendors with valid identity cards would be allotted space in the proposed commercial zones.