Ahmedabad: Days ahead of Diwali, the Gujarat High Court on Thursday permitted the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) to temporarily relocate street vendors in the Bhadra Parisar area of the walled city to two nearby plots. The move aims to ease traffic congestion and prevent overcrowding in the historic precinct.

In its interim order, the court also prohibited vendors from setting up kiosks or selling goods on public streets or pedestrian pathways in Bhadra Plaza “till further orders.” The area, known for its annual Diwali market, has a high concentration of street vendors.

Under the AMC plan, vendors will be shifted to two temporary sites: one behind Dadabhai Navroji Library, near Pankornaka, Teen Darwaja, and the other at Dhalgarwad Chowk, both around 100 meters from their current locations. The interim arrangement, approved verbally by the Division Bench of Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal and Justice D N Ray, is intended to protect the livelihoods of registered vendors associated with SEWA and SELO during the festive season.

The AMC highlighted that more than 1,500 vendors occupy a 250-meter stretch between Maa Bhadrakali Temple and Teen Darwaza, causing severe congestion that obstructs emergency and vehicular access. SEWA and SELO have agreed to cooperate, issuing identity cards to registered vendors to prevent unauthorised encroachments.

The court clarified that any unauthorised occupation of streets or footpaths will be treated as a law-and-order violation. District authorities and AMC officials have been directed to maintain order during the relocation. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on November 28, after the Diwali break. DeshGujarat