Rourkela: Hordes of illegal vegetable vendors lining the roads and lines of the Steel City, particularly in its extension areas, pose serious traffic problems to pedestrians besides spoiling the looks of the city. There was a scuffle between vegetable vendors and pedestrians Sunday at Fertilizer Township super market area.
The super market area is a hub for vegetable vendors here. Almost everyone in the city depends on the market to buy fresh vegetables as farmers from hinterland come here to sell their produce.
Although, the RSP authorities have constructed cemented sections in the market for the vegetable vendors, many pitch tents alongside the main road due to fewer cemented platforms. The vendors pitch their temporary tents which they later convert to permanent structures, locals alleged.
Although, locals have demanded more cemented platforms to accommodate vendors, no one pays heed to it. Earlier, the plant authorities carried out a drive to clear the roads, but they did not succeed.
The vendors not only cause nuisance to commuters, they also result in accidents. At cross junctions and signal light spots, commuters face problems as one cannot move one’s vehicles due to lack of space. This leads to piling of vehicles on the road.
When contacted, a vegetable vendor said residents have to be accommodative to us as we are poor and earn livelihood by selling vegetables.
PNN
