Ranchi to Survey Street Vendors Across 53 Wards, Dedicated Markets on the Cards

A new survey across all 53 wards of Ranchi is set to determine how many street vendors are currently operating across the city and what kind of space they need to continue their businesses in a more organised manner.

The Ranchi Municipal Corporation is preparing to carry out the survey following directions from the Chief Minister. The exercise is expected to provide the civic body with updated data on the number of street vendors, their locations and the nature of their businesses.

Officials will collect details about the number of vendors in different areas, the space occupied by their stalls and other information related to their trade. The data will then be used to identify suitable locations where dedicated vending or vendor markets can be developed.

Areas with a particularly high concentration of vendors could be prioritised for new vending markets, depending on the requirement and availability of land. The broader objective is to provide vendors with designated spaces where they can conduct business without repeatedly facing eviction from pavements.

The plan could also have an impact on traffic and pedestrian movement in the city. In several busy parts of Ranchi, roadside and pavement stalls often leave limited space for pedestrians. When people are forced to walk along the carriageway, it can contribute to congestion and create additional safety concerns.

Providing vendors with designated areas could therefore serve two purposes: protecting the livelihoods of street vendors while also helping the civic administration improve the use of pavements and manage traffic in congested areas.

Ranchi Mayor Roshni Khalkho said camps would be organised in every ward to determine the actual number of vendors. According to her, obtaining accurate figures is essential before a practical system for accommodating them can be prepared.

The survey could thus mark a shift in the approach towards street vending in Ranchi. Instead of focusing only on removing stalls from pavements, the civic body's proposed plan seeks to identify where vendors can be accommodated and how their businesses can be integrated into the city's urban planning.

The real challenge, however, will be the implementation. Once the survey is completed, the availability of suitable land, allocation of vending spaces and ensuring that designated markets remain accessible to customers will determine whether the plan can deliver a lasting solution for both vendors and the city's residents.