Greater Chennai Corporation to develop mobile app for street vendor registration

It will verify the contact numbers of 33,558 registered vendors and issue new chip-enabled ID cards

Biometric data collection was carried out for omitted vendors in Tondiarpet. | Photo Credit: File photo

The Greater Chennai Corporation’s Town Vending Committee is planning to develop a mobile app for vendor registration in the city.

GCC will verify the contact numbers of 33,558 registered vendors, issue new chip-enabled ID cards and procure smart cards with corporate social responsibility funds, and mark vending-permitted areas using geographic information system, according to a list of decisions taken in a series of seven meetings held with stakeholders presided over by the committee under the Revenue Department.

As per a resolution passed recently at the council meeting held on September 27, the committee comprises the City Health Officer, Chief Engineer (Public Works), Assistant Commissioners of Police (Law and Order and Traffic), one representative from the Vendors’ Association, two representatives from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and community organisations, one representative from the Residents’ Welfare Association, and six representatives from street vendors, totalling 15 members.

In a recent meeting held on September 20, the compilation of Action Taken Reports (ATR) from previous sessions was up for review. In this, it was mentioned that the the old identification cards with the chip should be collected and replaced with a new one.

Biometric data collection was carried out for omitted vendors in Tondiarpet. A special camp for vendors left out in many other parts of the city will also be conducted, the list stated. Street vending will be prohibited near schools, hospitals, and places of worship, in compliance with the order of the Madras High Court. A discussion on regulating traffic and pedestrian movement in street vending localities was also discussed, according to sources.

Designated vending zones have been established in various areas, including Manali, Anna Nagar, and Sholinganallur, in response to an increasing number of vendors. The committee is also considering requests for additional saleable areas with proper spacing at vending zones.

Few decisions made:

Kodambakkam Zone (X): Concerns about increasing vendors led to a request to declare additional saleable areas.

Valasaravakkam Zone (XI): Police and municipal officials were advised against removing long-standing fish stalls near Porur, and consultations were encouraged to facilitate street vendors.

Manali (II) and Alandur (XII) Zones: The area near the hospital on Nanganallur Main Road is to be designated as a saleable area only up to 100 meters from the hospital.

Madhavaram Zone (III): 6x4 feet areas can be designated as saleable, with necessary spacing between shops.

Perungudi Zone (XIV): The main road abutting Selena Estate Ltd was accepted as a saleable area, while certain areas marked in green and red were designated as non-saleable.

Sholinganallur Zone (XV): A specific area at Semmancheri was proposed for sale.

Published - October 01, 2024 01:23 am IST