10K vendors displaced due to NH expansion

Thousands of street vendors, displaced due to the expansion work of NH-55, have expressed strong resentment against the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the local administration and demanded proper compensation and rehabilitation.

Around 10,000 street vendors from Angul to Samblpur on NH-55 have lost their livelihoods due to the road expansion. The concerned authorities have forcibly evicted them without giving compensation as per the RR Act. Many small markets, local haats and shops have been demolished.

NH-55 Vendors’ Association president Ranjit Pattanaik has demanded immediate rehabilitation and compensation to the affected people. Apart from it, he urged for special vending zones to rehabilitate the displaced vendors.

Particularly thousands of venders from Nunukapasi, Kadalimunda, Jamunali, Amandamunda, Saradha-munda and Luhamunda have lost their livelihoods and are now totally unemployed. “The NH-55 expansion has created massive unemployment, which is contrary to the national policy and the RR Act,” said Pattanaik.