KOCHI: Around 150-odd roadside vendors in Fort Kochi are a worried lot. The district administration is all set to evict them and have sent notices to them. “We have sent notices, as per the court directive, to the illegal vendors and have given alternate arrangements to 64 legal vendors at the food court. The stalls of rent defaulters have been retendered,” said District Collector Sheik Pareeth.“In 2007-end, they evicted us from Vasco da Gama Square and gave us tiny stalls, two in each, at the food court. Business was bad as foreigners hardly came to this side and most of us shifted to River Road,” said the vendors. “We have been eking out a living on these roadsides for years. The authorities want us to clear by saying that the shops are blocking the view of the Chinese fishing nets and the beach,” said Fakirudeen, a vendor of light refreshments.Trinkets, ethnic jewellery, handicrafts, sea shells, bags, caps, souvenirs, books, food, drinks, tender coconuts, fruits and fresh fish are sold at these makeshift shops. “Tourists enjoy stepping into our shops to take home some memorable moments. They even try a hand at sales. We add spice to tourism. Moreover, they love to take a bite from our food stalls and buy fresh fish that can be cooked at their homestays,” said Mohammed Sameer, who sells trinkets. “Some of them like to have refreshment at the wayside eateries and juice counters facing the beach,” said Nawaz pointing to the foreigners seated on the beach sipping juice and tender coconuts. “Also, our presence here offers security to the tourists, as otherwise, these areas would be deserted at night,” he said. On the other side, P M Aboobacker said, “We auction fish as and when they arrive, throughout the day and we’ve been doing this for years. Business will be hit if we have to move from here. When M Beena was Collector, she earmarked some land and promised to give us a shelter.” “We are willing to move provided the authorities give us a place and are ready to pay rent,” said the vendors.“The 64 vendors present earlier have been rehabilitated but more and more people are setting shop illegally. Also, there are miscreants among them and many fleece foreigners. We have to set things in order and beautify the beach. The court directive will be implemented,” said MLA Dominic Presentation. “There are anomalies in the list of 64 legal vendors as it comprises only handicraft and food vendors. We will fight the eviction move tooth and nail,” said Abbas, union leader of footpath vendors.
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