In a significant move to reclaim public space and ease congestion, the Trichy Corporation on Friday conducted a drive to remove street vendors illegally operating on a key thoroughfare. The action targeted vendors occupying a portion of NSB Road and the entrance of the historic Main Guard Gate, also known as Fort Gateway.
Decongesting the Temple Pathway
The primary impetus for the drive was the hardship faced by devotees visiting the renowned Rockfort hillock temple. The main entrance on NSB Road had become increasingly crowded due to illegal encroachments, making pedestrian movement difficult. To address this, the street vending committee had passed a resolution on November 25 to retrieve the public space. Despite being given ample time to relocate voluntarily to the designated vending zone on Fort Station Road near Holy Cross College, a section of vendors had resisted the move.
A corporation official stated, "We gave ample time for vendors to relocate on their own to Fort Station Road, but a section of them didn't. So, we enforced the resolution to declare NSB Road as a no-vending zone by removing encroachments." As a result of the enforcement drive, 50 street vendors were relocated.
New Vending Zone and Future Plans
The new location for the vendors is Fort Station Road, a formally designated vending zone that connects the Fort railway station and Singarathope. The local body has committed to developing this area with essential amenities, which will include:
- Additional streetlights for better safety and visibility.
- Public toilet facilities.
- Drinking water units for vendors and visitors.
To fund the maintenance and development of these amenities, the vendors will be levied a user fee annually. Notably, the vendors had not been paying any such fees previously.
Broader Redevelopment Initiatives
The clearance drive is part of a larger urban improvement plan for the area. Following the removal of the vendors, the entry and exit points of the Main Guard Gate's arch are now easily accessible. This improves the pathway for pedestrians heading to not only the Rockfort temple but also the Teppakulam tank bunds.
Looking ahead, the Trichy Corporation is planning further relocations. The local body intends to shift the old Burma Bazaar shops located near the Teppakulam bunds, as well as the ASI Trichy circle office, to the Yaanakulam ground near Singarathope. This indicates a comprehensive strategy to decongest the historic fort area and redevelop it for better public use and heritage preservation.
