Vadodara: In a move to ease traffic congestion, curb illegal encroachments and improve public cleanliness, the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) has imposed strict regulations on street vendors across the city. Under the new rules, vendors will be allowed to operate only between 7 pm and 11 pm, while 14 major roads and busy stretches have been declared no-vending zones.

The civic body has warned that vendors violating the rules will face strict action, including the seizure of lorries, carts, food trucks and food tempos.

According to VMC officials, the decision follows growing complaints about traffic bottlenecks, encroached footpaths and poor sanitation. Authorities said vendors often occupy footpaths and roadside spaces, forcing customers to park on roads and disrupting traffic while restricting pedestrian movement.

The VMC has also directed vendors to vacate their designated locations after 11 pm and remove their vehicles and equipment from public spaces. Officials noted that food trucks left parked overnight on roads and footpaths hamper cleaning operations and create hygiene concerns.

To improve traffic flow, the civic body has decided to remove all encroachments and roadside stalls within a 30-metre radius of major traffic junctions. Acting on an earlier police notification, authorities will clear lorries, carts and other obstructions from these areas.

The VMC will also keep left-side lanes free at circles and junctions to facilitate free left turns and install dividers, flexible bollards and spring posts wherever required. Municipal Commissioner Arun Mahesh Babu has directed ward officials to conduct regular drives against traffic-obstructing encroachments.

In a parallel measure, the civic body will open designated plots for public parking and undertake land levelling, fencing and signage work at these sites.

The circular further stipulates that each vendor will be allowed to operate only one cart, while additional structures such as tables, chairs, sheds and other encroachments will be removed. Officials have been directed to implement the new guidelines with immediate effect.

14 Roads and Areas Declared No-Vending Zones

As part of the first phase of enforcement, the VMC has prohibited permanent street vending activities on the following roads and stretches:

• Airport Road to Akshar Chowk
• Yoga Circle to Akota Dandiya Bazaar Bridge to Shani Mandir Crossroad
• Sardar Estate Crossroad to Ajwa Chowk
• Vrindavan Chowk to Waghodia Highway
• Narhari Circle to Kalaghoda, Jail Road and Khanderao Market
• Susan Crossroad to Jambuva Highway
• Susan Crossroad to Shreyas School
• Yoga Circle to Canal Crossroad (Priya Talkies)
• Deluxe Society Crossroad–Mehsananagar Society–Navrachana School–Nanubhai Tower–GIPCL Circle–Mangal Pandey Road–Ratri Bazaar–L&T Circle
• Kothi Crossroad to Jubilee Baug Circle and the surrounding Sursagar area
• Khodiyarnagar Crossroad to Super Bakery, New VIP Road and Sardar Estate Crossroad
• Chakli Circle to Gotri Lake and Sevasi Chowki
• Airport Circle to Golden Chowk
• Soma Lake to Kapurai Chowk

The VMC has clarified that no permanent lorries, carts, kiosks or similar vending structures will be permitted in these no-vending zones. Vendors have been urged to comply with the new regulations to avoid penalties and confiscation of their equipment. DeshGujarat