HYDERABAD: Hundreds of street vendors in Hyderabad are on tenterhooks as the recent high court order on clearing footpath encroachments has brought renewed anxiety about their future. While the directive aims to ensure safe movement for pedestrians and ease traffic congestion, many hawkers say it has also exposed the absence of a clear rehabilitation plan for those who depend on street vending for survival.
Street vendor committees have urged the government to go beyond eviction and focus on long-term solutions. Their main demands include allotment of land, creation of properly located hawking zones, formation of Town Vending Committees (TVCs), issuance of identity cards, and provision of basic facilities such as water, lighting, and waste disposal. They argue that without these measures, enforcement only shifts vendors from one place to another.
Srinivas, who runs a dosa stall, told TNIE that his livelihood would be destroyed if no alternative is provided by the government. “We are migrant labourers from Karnataka, and we would be left with nothing if our livelihood is not considered,” he said.
Fruit vendors have also questioned claims that they cause congestion. “I get hardly two or three customers a day. They buy and leave in five minutes. How can this create traffic jams?” asked Venkat, a fruit seller.
Some residents, however, support the drive. Ratna, a resident, said roadside stalls and parked vehicles were causing safety issues. “Customers block roads, and people smoke in front of houses. Women feel unsafe at night. Clearing footpaths is necessary,” she said.
Civic activist Harish Daga warned that repeated removals without rehabilitation could deepen poverty among vendors. “Hawkers exist because consumers need them. Ignoring their role will only worsen economic inequality,” he said.
Former mayor Banda Karthika Reddy said traffic management should not come at the cost of livelihoods. “Vendors must be given designated spaces. Development and road-widening plans should be inclusive,” she said.
Despite the Street Vendors Act, 2014, which recognises street vending as a legitimate economic activity, many hawkers continue to face eviction and uncertainty. Telangana has over five lakh street vendors, with about 1.62 lakh operating under GHMC limits. Though more than 1.44 lakh ID cards have been issued, many remain outside the formal system.
Studies show that nearly 69 per cent of hawkers support families of five or more members, while 47 per cent struggle to meet basic needs. Health problems such as diabetes and joint pain are common, and recent income losses have made treatment unaffordable for many.