Kochi traders protest against corporation’s plan to allow street vendors on Shanmugham Road

Kochi: The Kerala Merchants Chamber of Commerce (KMCC) has expressed strong protest against the corporation's decision to allow street vendors on the sidewalk of Shanmugham Road. The traders are opposing the corporation's move to take over the sidewalk and other areas on the eastern side of Shanmugham Road to accommodate street vendors."We have decided to submit a memorandum to the district collector and mayor on Tuesday and move legally to get a stop memo against this unjust move," said KMCC general secretary VE Anwar. At a meeting held on Thursday, KMCC decided that Kochi corporation's move is unfavourable towards the traders who spent a huge amount of money to rent out or buy the shop spaces. "Now all the street vendors from Broadway will be allowed to sell their wares in front of the shops," he said.The traders allege that the decision is politically motivated and could lead to the closure of businesses in the area, adversely affecting both the trade and employment sectors. The local body has marked space for shifting 340 street vendors in the area just after the footpath, on the two-wheeler parking slot. An area of 25 sq ft each has been marked for three vendors to put up their stalls.The KMCC has demanded that a special space be allotted to the street vendors to sell their wares so that other businesses are not affected.