Bhubaneswar: The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation has introduced a dedicated ‘Ghanta Gadi (Bell Van)’ in a bid to stop vendors from encroaching upon footpaths and make them pedestrian-friendly.
The move follows regular complaints and observation that the street vendors are spreading their merchandise on footpaths, even encroaching upon roads, and obstructing free flow of traffic. BMC has also formed a special squad to check encroachment of footpaths and roads.
From now onwards, a ‘Ghanta Gadi’ that makes a ding-dong sound, like the one produced by fire engines, will patrol the streets to warn street vendors. Before its arrival, hawkers have to vacate footpaths on their own.
“The vehicle, fitted with a big bell to create an alarming sound, is intended to change the mindset of street vendors, will be monitored by deputy commissioner of enforcement with the help of some supervisors,” a BMC official said Monday, adding the vehicle will move around in all zones without any prior notice.
BMC is not the first city to have introduced such warning vehicle. Such vehicles are already in use, successfully, in cities like the national capital, Ahmedabad and Kolkata.
MP Prasanna Patsani inaugurated the vehicle Monday in the presence of Mayor Ananta Narayan Jena, Deputy Mayor K Shanti and other officials.
PNN