The Uncertain Future of Street Vendors on Ulubari's B.K. Kakoti Road as repeated civic evictions collide with economic survival
Every time a VIP convoy passes through Ulubari, tea stalls disappear, vegetable baskets are hurriedly lifted, and roadside vendors along B.K. Kakoti Road are forced to temporarily clear the footpath, only to return a few hours later as the cycle of eviction and reoccupation continues.
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The cycle has become so routine that vendors can almost predict when they will be forced to clear the footpath during VIP movements or eviction drives.
For years, the busy commercial stretch in Ulubari has witnessed a tug-of-war between urban regulation and economic survival. While authorities continue efforts to clear public spaces and regulate roadside vending, vendors say they have little choice but to return to the same spot that feeds their families.
The issue has resurfaced amid ongoing discussions surrounding Guwahati’s designated vending zones, many of which vendors claim have yet to become stable and workable alternatives on the ground.
For many vendors, the roadside location is not a matter of convenience but survival.
Govind, a coconut vendor who has been operating in the area for about a year, said shifting away from customer-heavy locations could severely affect business.
"I have been here for a year now. I too have the ticket provided by GMC, which is Rs 50. In case there is an eviction, it is not only me but every other shop that is affected. Also, if somebody complains when I put my shop too close to the road, GMC evicts my shop. If I get a vending zone completely away from this area, I will lose my customers," he said.
A vegetable vendor who travels daily from Byrnihat to Ulubari said uncertainty remains a constant part of their work despite the collection of fees by civic authorities.
"I have been sitting here for five years. Earlier, GMC had evicted my shop and threw all my goods and vegetables. Now they are taking Rs 50 from us. A designated vending zone is definitely needed. During rain and extreme heat, it gets difficult and business gets affected," the vendor said.
The demand from vendors is not necessarily to remain on the footpath permanently. Many vendors said they are willing to relocate to organised vending spaces, but only if those locations ensure customer access, visibility and protection from repeated eviction drives.
For now, however, business continues under the shadow of uncertainty.
“If any VIP comes then we have to remove our shop,” said a tea stall vendor operating from the footpath.
Others describe a work environment where they remain constantly alert.
"Anytime during the day, GMC officials can come and order us to leave this spot and we have to quickly remove our vegetables. A proper stable vending spot would be very helpful otherwise we always have to remain alert and business gets affected extensively," said Anita Boro, a vegetable vendor.
She added that weather conditions further compound the challenges.
"During rainy season it gets worse. We cover our goods and vegetables and stand under a shed until the rain stops. Umbrellas are also of no use when there is wind. This creates a lot of problems," she said
The consequences of the issue are visible on the ground, with opinions sharply divided among residents and business owners.
Customers appreciate the convenience that vendors provide. "It's easier for us local residents if the vendors are close to us," a local customer told GPlus.
For many households, especially elderly residents and working families, roadside vendors serve as neighbourhood markets by supplying fruits, vegetables and other essentials within walking distance. Yet not everyone shares that view.
However, nearby shop owners said that the occupation of footpaths has affected pedestrian movement and business activity. “These vendors occupy half of the footpath, due to which customers can’t come to my shop,” he said
Another shop owner pointed to the repeated nature of the eviction drives. “I witnessed GMC evicting them but again after a few days they come back. This cycle goes on,” he said.
The recurring situation reflects a larger city-wide challenge. In 2024, the Guwahati Municipal Corporation notified 81 vending zones across the city under the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014. The initiative was intended to accommodate thousands of vendors while ensuring roads and footpaths remain free from encroachment.
However, recent reports highlighted concerns regarding delays, confusion and disputes surrounding the operationalisation of several vending zones, even after 2 years of allocation. As a result, many vendors continue to occupy traditional business locations despite the existence of notified vending spaces.
Addressing the issue, the ward councillor of the area said vendors could eventually be removed as vending zones have already been identified.
"We have provided them with vending zones, so most probably the vendors will be evicted. The status of vending zones is currently in a very confusing and controversial stage. Whenever there is a VIP movement there, the vendors are asked to vacate the space temporarily. So we are still looking into it," the councillor said.
On one side are pedestrians and shop owners who argue that portions of the footpath have become inaccessible. On the other are vendors who say relocation away from customer-heavy areas could destroy their livelihoods.
Repeated eviction drives have failed to eliminate roadside vending. Instead, vendors continue to return because the locations where they operate are where their customers are. For many, shifting to a distant vending zone could mean losing visibility, reducing sales, and jeopardising household income.
Urban planners often describe street vending as one of the most visible manifestations of the informal economy. It provides self-employment to thousands while simultaneously creating challenges related to traffic movement, pedestrian safety and the use of public spaces.
B.K. Kakoti Road demonstrates both sides of that reality. The footpath belongs to the public and must remain accessible. At the same time, the people occupying portions of it are not merely encroachers; they are workers trying to earn a living in a city where opportunities for low-income self-employment remain limited.
As Guwahati pushes towards becoming a more organised and modern city, the future of these vendors remains uncertain. The legal framework recognises their right to livelihood, while urban planning demands regulated public spaces.
Until those two objectives are successfully reconciled, B.K. Kakoti Road will continue to witness the same scene: vendors setting up stalls at dawn, serving customers throughout the day, watching for municipal officials or VIP movements, and wondering whether tomorrow they will still have a place to do business.