Young Sujatha was busy selling accessories to women passengers on board a Tambaram-bound local train. As she stepped down at Kodambakkam station, she was chased by a railway police officer, who ran after her till she crossed the exit gate. “They are illegal vendors and are not allowed here,” said the agitated officer.
While many commuters avail of their services, such hawkers continue to face challenges in practising their trade as they do not have a licence, even while most have been selling their wares for decades. According to experts, there are around 2 lakh vendors in the city, and less than one per cent has been assured their livelihood rights.
Sujatha, like many other vendors, came from Bihar and settled on a pavement at Parrys corner many years ago. After trying her hand at various jobs, she began selling accessories to women travelling by train.
“I also sell goods on the pavements sometimes. But, I have my regular customers on the 5 p.m. train,” she said. “However sometimes, when I am unlucky, my earnings go as penalty to the officers,” she said.
Fifty-year-old Amulu, a flower vendor in West Mambalam, recalled her experience while hawking wares on trains. “I have been selling flowers in trains for over 30 years. I still have to leave the station secretly to avoid the wrath of the police. I used to be given a pass to travel but was not allowed to sell wares,” she said.
Not only rail vendors, even street vendors complain of such treatment. “I sell balloons at traffic signals, until I am chased by officers. Sometimes it gets risky, but it is my livelihood. I have no other place or any choice in the matter,” said 20- year- old Sikandar, from Tiruvallur.
Experts state that the introduction of government aided self-help groups and constitution of a vending committee, with representation from police and residents welfare associations will help regularise the vendors. “All we are waiting for is the implementation of the Street Vendors Bill, which will solve most of the problems,” said R. Geetha from the Unorganised Workers Federation.
“A large number of vendors have been working in the city over the years. Their services should be regularised instead of being banned,” said Geetha.
N. Suriyakala, President of Makkal Nala Membattu Sangam, a confederation of self-help groups in the city added, “Finance, in terms of loans and a place to carry on business, is all that these people need. The rest will be sorted out,” she said.
However, for busy customers, their services continue to be vital. “I hardly have time to go shopping, so when some products are sold on the train, I buy all that I need. It is of immense help to me,” said R. Leshna, a resident of Ponneri.
