Stakeholders must be engaged to ensure effective, equitable solutions that serve both economic survival and civic order
BLURB: The voices of street vendors—the most vulnerable yet most integral to the town’s economy—must be heard. Effective governance demands a middle path: dignified livelihoods for vendors alongside orderly traffic for commuters. Only through genuine stakeholder engagement can this balance be achieved.
One of the most crucial aspects of any policy, if it is to be truly successful, is the involvement of all stakeholders across society. When people are included in decisions— whether legislative or administrative—not only do policies become more effective, but they also gain legitimacy and acceptance among those whose lives are most directly affected.
Unfortunately, recent developments in Anantnag tell a different story. A few days ago, the district administration ordered all daily-wage earners selling goods on street carts to shut down their operations near the footpaths. Strict punishments were prescribed for violations. The justification provided was the frequent traffic jams in the town. While it is undeniable that congestion is a serious concern, to deprive an entire section of society of its only source of livelihood is akin to economic strangulation. Street vendors who earn by day to feed their families by night have suddenly been pushed into despair.
It is true that shopkeepers often extend their goods onto pavements and that street vendors, at times, encroach dangerously close to the middle of the road, creating difficulties for two-wheelers, larger vehicles, and ambulances rushing towards the District Hospital at the heart of Anantnag. But responsibility does not rest solely with them. Traffic management is primarily the duty of the traffic police, whose approach has, unfortunately, been reduced to routine challan collection. There are even reports of ambulances being delayed because of mismanaged congestion.
Undoubtedly, the sight of clear roads and smooth traffic flow is welcome. But implementing one law at the cost of another—particularly at the expense of the poorest and most vulnerable—is deeply problematic. Since the enforcement of this sweeping ban, street vendors have been forced into narrow lanes and inner mohallas, waiting helplessly for customers who rarely arrive. Their faces, etched with uncertainty, tell stories of quiet suffering.
For many, the weekly Sunday markets were a lifeline. These markets allowed vendors to sell in bulk, earn a reasonable income, and sustain their families for days ahead. The decision to shut them down has stripped away even this small avenue of survival. Ironically, despite the crackdown, traffic jams continue to persist, raising serious doubts about the efficacy of the measure.
The truth is that a balanced solution is possible. Street vendors can be permitted to operate within designated areas and at designated times, while traffic authorities carry out their real mandate—ensuring smooth movement. The challenge is not of capacity but of intent. It is telling that whenever political leaders pass through these roads, or when political rallies and public functions are organised, extraordinary arrangements are made to ensure seamless traffic. Barricades are erected, additional personnel are deployed, and diversions are meticulously planned—measures that could easily be adopted for daily traffic as well. Yet, such seriousness is absent in the everyday life of common citizens.
Policy implementation must be inclusive. One section of society cannot be silenced to appease another. The voices of street vendors—the most vulnerable yet most integral to the town’s economy—must be heard. Effective governance demands a middle path: dignified livelihoods for vendors alongside orderly traffic for commuters. Only through genuine stakeholder engagement can this balance be achieved.
Malik Tufail
ma*************@***il.com