Vamshi
Recently, a major move by the government saw the removal of several shops and tea stalls set up on the footpaths in the Osmania University campus, Hyderabad. The move was merely an excuse to rid these illegal shops and eateries that were set up at unauthorized places and caused inconvenience to students and locals.
Why Were These Shops Considered Illegal?
The government cited that the shops and tea stalls constructed on the footpaths of the university were unauthorized and did not possess any license. Not only did these create nuisance in the movement of pedestrians, but they also breached public safety. The footpaths, which were meant for easy walking, had become jam-packed with makeshift sitting arrangements, and the students and residents were compelled to walk on the roads, which increased the vulnerability to accidents.
Reactions from Campus and Community
The decision to clear these stalls has been met with mixed feelings. While many students and locals were relieved that the footpaths were finally free, and it was safer to walk, some students and their owners have complained about losing a convenient place to hang out and snack quickly, or even drink a cup of tea. These stalls gave them affordable alternatives to taste, since many students weren’t well-endowed enough to afford town food.
What is the Reason Behind This Action?
The removal of these shops automatically raises some questions:
What made the government take this step now? Was there an incident or complaint that compelled the crackdown?
Are they going to give a place to relocate these vendors to a legal area? If yes, where these stalls be permitted to operate?
How does this affect the local economy? Plenty of small-scale vendors rely on the day-to-day business coming from students and visitors to the campus.
Conclusion
This has indeed been a very debated move that the government has undertaken, especially among the university population and even with the people in the vicinity of the university. It should be seen that while the clearance of illegal shops helps in sustaining order and ensuring the safety of people within the university premises, it also shows that a balance must be struck where the lives of small-scale vendors are concerned.
ndors.
