Hyderabad: Street food vendors on Thursday staged a protest in Raidurgam after civic officials decided to fence the area where they previously operated.
In the last week of Sept, around 50 food stalls situated on Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation Limited (TGIIC) property were removed in a joint operation by GHMC and law enforcement agencies. On Thursday, the authorities began installing a fence to deter future encroachment of the space.
“We are deliberating on the land utilisation, with the decision resting with the state govt. We removed these food stalls as many encroachments are coming up on this site. Discussions with the state authorities are planned to identify a suitable alternative site where these vendors can continue their operations,” a TGIIC official said.
Speaking to TOI, Madhapur Street Food Vendors Welfare Association representatives said that their livelihood was drastically affected, leaving them on the roads without any financial resources. The vendors revealed that officials had given no prior notice before eviction and discarded their food on the ground while clearing the area.
“The IT corridor’s bustling food zone attracts at least 5,000 customers, including professionals, drivers and support staff, daily. Its widespread appeal stems from budget-friendly pricing, with dishes ranging from full meals to biryani for under 100,” Madhapur Street Food Vendors Welfare Association president G K Ganga Ram said.
“The authorities must allocate alternative space to carry out our operations. Similar to the permission granted to Kumari aunty mess, they should at least permit us to run food businesses on adjacent footpaths. These food establishments, unlike other street vendors, have consistently maintained smooth operations without causing any traffic disruptions,” Shiva Teja Yadav, who operates Bamboo Biryani stall, said.
Food stall owners also said that it has become highly difficult to manage house rents, schools for their children, and even medicines for their parents.
In the last week of Sept, around 50 food stalls situated on Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation Limited (TGIIC) property were removed in a joint operation by GHMC and law enforcement agencies. On Thursday, the authorities began installing a fence to deter future encroachment of the space.
“We are deliberating on the land utilisation, with the decision resting with the state govt. We removed these food stalls as many encroachments are coming up on this site. Discussions with the state authorities are planned to identify a suitable alternative site where these vendors can continue their operations,” a TGIIC official said.
Speaking to TOI, Madhapur Street Food Vendors Welfare Association representatives said that their livelihood was drastically affected, leaving them on the roads without any financial resources. The vendors revealed that officials had given no prior notice before eviction and discarded their food on the ground while clearing the area.
“The IT corridor’s bustling food zone attracts at least 5,000 customers, including professionals, drivers and support staff, daily. Its widespread appeal stems from budget-friendly pricing, with dishes ranging from full meals to biryani for under 100,” Madhapur Street Food Vendors Welfare Association president G K Ganga Ram said.
“The authorities must allocate alternative space to carry out our operations. Similar to the permission granted to Kumari aunty mess, they should at least permit us to run food businesses on adjacent footpaths. These food establishments, unlike other street vendors, have consistently maintained smooth operations without causing any traffic disruptions,” Shiva Teja Yadav, who operates Bamboo Biryani stall, said.
Food stall owners also said that it has become highly difficult to manage house rents, schools for their children, and even medicines for their parents.
