Chandigarh's High-Tech War on Illegal Street Vendors
In a city buzzing with life and commerce, the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation (MC) is embracing a technological revolution aimed at transforming its vibrant market areas. Illegal vendors, who have long been a thorn in the city’s side, are now facing an advanced technological crackdown — one that promises newfound order for both vendors and shoppers alike.
The Rise of Tech-Driven Order
Chandigarh’s bustling markets are on the brink of change. The MC has unveiled a strategic plan incorporating cutting-edge technology to impeccably manage street vending. As reported by Hindustan Times, this initiative hinges on several smart solutions that promise transparency and efficiency. At the forefront is the issuance of hologram-embedded certificates and chip-based ID cards, offering an airtight system to prevent deceit and malpractice.
The scale of this undertaking is impressive; over the years, unlicensed vendors have burgeoned, occupying spaces meant for shoppers. According to a 2016 survey, the city harbored 10,903 registered vendors. However, stringent measures saw this number sharply fall to 4,032 by 2023. With over ₹75 crore in unpaid dues from defaulting vendors, the new technology aims to enforce payment compliance and clear the street clutter.
Breaking the Norm: From Chaos to Control
MC’s Commissioner Amit Kumar is leading this transformative journey alongside Joint Commissioner Sumit Sihag. Sihag highlights the strategic deployment of geofencing technology and a mobile app developed by the Society for Promotion of IT in Chandigarh (SPIC). These tools track vendor locations in real-time, enabling immediate response to trespass from designated zones.
Crucially, Sector 17 and Sectors 1 to 6, cities marked ‘no-vending zones’ since 2019, continue to grapple with unlicensed vending activity. A hefty challenge, but one the new technologies are poised to tackle head-on. Surveillance cameras at key zones will knit together a real-time visual tapestry, monitored by eagle-eyed officers ready to pounce on unauthorized activities.
Smart Solutions to Outsmart Squatters
The municipal corporation’s tech arsenal includes tamper-proof certificates that each registered vendor will proudly hold. These certificates, embedded with holograms, stand resilient against duplication or alteration. Enforcement teams can swiftly verify credentials, ensuring fast resolution against illegal vending.
In addition, smart ID cards carrying vital vendor information and licenses fortify this framework, guaranteeing not just authenticity but accountability.
A Bright Vision for Chandigarh’s Markets
Saturday inspections, helmed by Sumit Sihag, are already bearing fruit. In Sector 15 Patel Market alone, MC’s surprise interventions led to the issuance of 52 challans, illuminating the city’s robust commitment to this noble cause.
As Chandigarh embraces this digital leap, the buzz of its markets will harmonize with the city’s progressive beat, promising a future where vendors and shoppers coexist in serene synchronicity. With each technological advancement, the markets twinkle like stars against the city’s enchanting skyline, casting a new light on urban living.
The pilot phases roll out in the high-traffic areas of Sector 15, 19, and 22 — a precursor to an ambitious citywide expansion. Each step forward is a stride towards a smarter, more orderly Chandigarh, reshaping its streets in the symphony of the future.
