A trail of trash

The BBMP is contemplating finding an alternative space for vendors who are located near the entrance of Lalbagh, Cubbon Park and in and around the CBD areas. This is being done to prevent people from littering these areas.

People frequenting these places have welcomed the decision and hopes it will be implemented and enforced on an immediate basis. Lalbagh is a favourite spot with walkers and Ganesh S, an employee with Tech Mahindra, who has visited the place many times, says that he has seen vendors at the entrance of Lalbagh and also inside it. He feels that instead of displacing vendors, the authorities could have a designated space near the park where the vendors can carry on with their business.

"It is unfair to completely evict the vendors because they are, like anyone of us, earning their livelihood. Vendors should be educated who in turn must educate people, who buy items from them, to throw used plates and cups into the dustbin rather than throw it just anywhere in the park," says Ganesh. Sharing her experience, Saisudha Sugavanam, an entrepreneur, recalls an incident when she saw one of the vendors at Cubbon Park, clicking her pictures when she went there with her four-year-old daughter.

"My daughter and I were visiting Cubbon Park when I suddenly spotted a vendor taking my picture. I didn't have the energy to confront him but that incident stayed with me for a long time, because I wondered what he would do with my pictures. There were no policemen to monitor the activities of these vendors," says Saisudha. She feels waste collects more around where the vendors are stationed. "I find well-dressed people buying food from vendors and later throwing the waste in the park. The basic civic sense seems to be missing among people. I don't see a dustbin placed anywhere near the vendor," adds Saisudha.

A senior official with the BBMP informs that plans are afoot to find a designated space for vendors. "We want to make sure the spaces around Lalbagh and Cubbon Park are kept clean. The Tender SURE roads around the CBD areas do not permit vendors. Repeated warnings to vendors doesn't seem to have had any impact," says the official.

While the officials are making grand plans, citizens like Mahesh Kumar, a fitness trainer, feels the authorities are not taking concerted efforts to relocate the vendors.

He has been regularly training at Lalbagh for the last four years. "Vendors will not be stationed near parks and other public places without the knowledge of the BBMP authorities. Had they issued a strong warning, the vendors would have left the place. The authorities should be more alert because debris inside Lalbagh and outside it is increasing by the day," concludes Mahesh.