Vendors want to reclaim India Gate, ask police to lift restrictions

Members of the National Association of Street Vendors of India on Tuesday submitted a letter to the Delhi police commissioner demanding to lift entry restrictions for visitors and vendors in and around India Gate.

The association said the area is being condoned off every day after 4 pm. “Putting barricades and restricting entry of people can never make any place safe. For the past three months, the area in and around India Gate is being barricaded after 4 pm,” said association project manager Ranjit Abhigyan.

“Only the area opposite India Gate towards Parliament, which does not see much crowd, is open. We have asked police to allow visitors and vendors till 11 pm, like it used to be before,” said Abhigyan.

According to the association, security at India Gate was tightened after the December 16 gang rape, but entry was restricted after the blasts in Hyderabad in February.

“Our members have been going to the police officers concerned. In February, police told us that they will undertake a review and the place will be opened. The review is yet to happen. This move is a blow to the livelihood of licenced vendors,” said Abhigyan.

The letter submitted to the police chief said India Gate attracts tourists in large number, and shutting down the place after 4 pm is a dampener for visitors too.

“Disturbing the normal flow of visitors and livelihood of vendors and hawkers, who make the city streets safer through their constant vigil, can never be a well-intentioned and reasonable way to ward off security threats,” the letter stated.
A senior police officer said talks are on over the issue.

In June 2012, police and the New Delhi Municipal Council had launched an eviction drive against vendors at India Gate, but was stopped after protests by the association.