23 Mar 2005
SALE ON FOOTPATH
No one would like to sit in hot sun or rains and sale goods. It is their helplessness.
Who would not like to have a descent home?
It is a simple logic that, if people stop buying from footpath sellers there
would be no one selling good on footpath. However, it is the necessity and convenience
of public to buy articles from them. Firstly, they are cheaper and secondly visible
to people walking/moving on road. No special efforts are needed for such purchases.
People buy and therefore there are people to sell. People have no right to say
they are intruders. This means we either accept their right to sell good on footpath
or no one shall buy goods from them. Because people will not stop buying so,
we must accept it as their right.
Accepting right does not mean that the sell should be allowed in a manner as
it is seen at present. It simply means it should be planned in an orderly manner.
Footpaths need to be reconstructed to accommodate these sellers. They may be
given raised platforms, adequate space for people to walk. While doing this safety
precautions and traffic flow cannot be ignored. Planning of roads is highly desirable
considering this as an inescapable necessity. In addition, some other requirements
like repair shops, parking for vehicles etc. also must be considered. First and
foremost, rule need to be enforced is “Ground floor of any type of the
building must be used only for parking of vehicles. No shop or godown shall be
in ground floor of any building, be it residential or commercial or light workshops.
This
is probably is the best solution for sale on footpaths.
