The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has ordered the city Corporation to shut down unauthorised street-side shops in the Chala market region.
The order by commission chairman Antony Dominic came on a petition filed by the Chala main unit of the Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi (KVVES). According to the KVVES unit, traders in the Chala market are being pushed into a crisis by unauthorised parking and vending in the area.
Based on the complaint, the commission had also sought a report from the Secretary, Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. The Corporation informed the commission that the presence of the unauthorised street-side shops was preventing the implementation of the heritage project for Chala Ward under the Smart City plan.
The report says that more than 25 street vendors were operating in a 300-metre stretch near the western entrance of the bazaar (near the Gandhi Park).
‘Political support’
The report says the street vendors are organised and have political support. They can be evicted only with the assistance of the police.
The commission said the Corporation has done little to address the issue.