Mangaluru : The city corporation is now all set to act against street vendors, who cause traffic obstructions or block footpaths at busy locations.

The city corporation has decided to cancel the identity cards issued to street vendors if they do not carry out business at the demarcated locations from August 21. MCC has provided a street vending zone near the service bus stand but vendors are not willing to operate from the zone citing lack of infrastructure as a reason. The MCC has issued identity cards to 208 street vendors in the city.

MCC commissioner Mohammed Nazeer said the city corporation has demarcated street vending zone near the service bus stand for the welfare of street vendors, smooth traffic movement and for the safety of pedestrians. “Despite informing them about the inconvenience being faced by the public and vehicles, they are not ready to conduct business from the zone. Hence, we have decided to act tough against them,” Nazeer said.

Meanwhile, Street Vendors Association district president Mohammed Musthafa said the street vending zone identified by the MCC has no proper infrastructure. “Let them provide basic facilities at the street vending zones before forcing us to shift our business. Similarly, the city corporation should issue identity cards to all street vendors. Though they have issued identity cards to 208 vendors, more than 350 are yet to get the card. Many vendors from Mangaluru have not been given identity cards. We have also urged the city corporation to demarcate street vending zone in an area wise manner. We have been requesting them to give preference for vendors from Mangaluru to conduct business in the city,” he said.

Street vendors have also held a protest in front of the city corporation building and demands were discussed with the officials too, he said. “They are just insisting us to shift to the identified vending zone rather than listening to our grievances,” he added.