RMC to seize unregistered food vans after Apr 15

Ranchi: The Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) has asked the motorised food van owners to mandatorily take license by April 15, post which it would seize the unregistered vehicles.
Talking to TOI, the additional municipal commissioner (AMC) of RMC, Kunwar Singh Pahan, said they have posted notices at all public places, directing the food vans to mandatorily take license by April 15. “Each motorised food van has to apply for permit/trade license before commencing operations and pay a one-time registration fee of Rs 5,000 to the civic body. A team will inspect the proposed area, where the businessman intends to set up the stall, to ensure that adequate space is available. A license is issued to the businessman against a fixed monthly rent (parking charge) after the team gives its approval,” he stated.
The city has been divided into three zones — A, B, and C — with fixed monthly charge of Rs 5,000, Rs 4,000, and Rs 3,000, respectively, he added. Ironically, the RMC does not have any data on the number of vans that operate under their jurisdiction. “Only 30-35 food vans have registered with us, but the number of those operating are in hundreds. Hence, we have decided to regulate the business to address civic and traffic concerns. The RMC will seize the vehicles of those who do not possess the license after April 15,” the AMC said.
They are also planning to set up night markets at Jaipal Singh stadium (Kutchery) and Morabadi soon, where only licensed food vans would be allowed to operate, Pahan added.
Meanwhile, a food vendor at Morabadi said, “I am not aware about the license. If the RMC is issuing a certificate, I will apply for it at the RMC office.” Though the food vans are preferred by many for grabbing quick bites, they are mushrooming across the city at a rapid pace, leading to traffic blockades, unauthorised parking, and unchecked littering. Sunil Kumar, a resident of Lalpur, said, “Travelling through Lalpur and Circular roads have become a challenging task for the past few years due to the mushrooming of unregulated food vans.”