KOCHI: Kochi corporation’s plan to relocate street vendors from Marine Drive to a designated zone along Shanmugham Road is set to be reviewed, with the civic body keen to proceed with the project.
Meanwhile, business stakeholders under the Marine Drive Stakeholders Association (M-DASH) have sought wider discussions, expressing concern over the unscientific allotment of vending spaces.
Following the High Court directive in January 2025 limiting operations to authorised street vendors with valid ID and certificates, the corporation is planning to implement the project with necessary amendments.
“We have to continue the project. The council must meet to discuss the issue. The plan was to retain existing vendors and prevent new stalls from coming up. But as vendors and residents associations in the area opposed the move, we will have to amend the plan and get the approval of the state government,” a corporation official said.
Mayor V K Minimol said the council will discuss the issue and take necessary steps. “The issue is under consideration. Since officials and heads of departments are busy with the budget, we will hold detailed discussions after the budget,” she said.
Marine Drive was one of the 69 street vending zones identified as part of the initiative. The move was part of the project to evict illegal street vendors and rehabilitate 2,351 vendors who were identified through a survey. According to the existing plan, around 300 vendors will be relocated to Shanmugham Road. Meanwhile, M-DASH has initiated discussions with the mayor.
“We are writing a letter to the mayor requesting to hold a discussion with the stakeholders before amending and implementing the plan. We have also met the mayor and discussed the issues with her. The current lack of parking spaces is already impacting foot traffic to our establishments, and prioritising street vendors will further affect our businesses. Marine Drive is a major tourist spot in the city; making it a vending zone would lead to overcrowding,” said Rajesh Nair, executive member.
The plan, proposed by the previous council to bring uniformity and improve aesthetics, was opposed by the association, which delayed implementation. The project has been partially implemented in Fort Kochi and Mattancherry.