Yesterday, I attended a live hearing at the Bombay High Court on an issue of deep interest to me: #street_vending, particularly focused on #Mumbai. The debate about defining and designing streets for both pedestrians and vendors is multifaceted and challenging. It was striking to see how the judiciary, the executive, and civil society representatives clashed on multiple levels, each side presenting compelling arguments and valid points. The different sides highlighted the complexities and nuances involved, making it extremely tough to find a middle ground and a win-win solution.
While on one end, street vending surveys and plans should have been completed long ago since the Street Vendors Act was launched in 2014, on the other end, pedestrians still struggle to find space to walk. The judgment has given Mumbai a deadline to complete the formation of the Town Vending Committee and finalize the street vending scheme, but it’s clear that there’s still a long way to go.
The larger question prevails within such #urban governance and development issues: can all stakeholders ever be satisfied? If not, what is that mid-ground? Who wins, and who loses? This situation highlights the ongoing tension between progress and practicality, with each step forward revealing new challenges and conflicts. It remains to be seen whether a balanced solution that respects the needs of both vendors and pedestrians can be achieved, or if this will be yet another example of urban planning falling short of its inclusive ideals.
Peer Review/Engineering Consultant at Matrix Consulting Services
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