Street business in Kathmandu, Nepal

Kathmandu, 5 December: A street business refers to small-scale commercial activities conducted directly on the streets or in public spaces, often targeting passersby. These businesses are usually informal and can include:

Street Food Vendors
Selling snacks, drinks, or meals from carts, stalls, or kiosks.
Street Retailers
Selling goods like clothing, electronics, jewelry, books, or handmade crafts.
Service Providers
Offering services such as shoe repair, haircuts, or photography.
Street Performers and Artists
Entertainers performing music, dance, or art to attract tips.
Mobile Vendors
Using bicycles, motorcycles, or small vehicles to sell goods.

Street businesses thrive because they provide affordable products and services, require low capital to start, and allow entrepreneurs to be flexible with their location. However, they may face challenges like legal restrictions, weather conditions, or competition.

Mayor Balen Shah is against street business

Mayor Balen Shah of Kathmandu Metropolitan City has taken a strong stance against unregulated street businesses. His policies aim to address the issues of urban management, public space encroachment, and traffic congestion caused by street vendors in the city. Here are some key points about his approach:

Reasons for His Stance

Traffic and Pedestrian Flow
Street businesses often occupy sidewalks and roads, obstructing pedestrian movement and contributing to traffic jams.
Urban Cleanliness
Improper waste management by street vendors contributes to littering and unsanitary conditions.
Orderly Urban Planning
Mayor Balen’s administration prioritizes the city’s aesthetics and organized urban development.
Illegal Operations
Many street businesses operate without permits, leading to revenue loss for the local government.

Eviction Drives
His administration has frequently conducted drives to remove street vendors, especially in busy areas like New Road, Thamel, and Ratnapark.
Alternative Solutions
In some cases, he has proposed relocating street vendors to designated areas or providing regulated vending zones. However, this has faced challenges due to implementation and vendor resistance.
Strict Regulations
Enforcement of rules to prevent vendors from setting up shop in unauthorized locations.

Controversies

While some residents and business owners support these actions, citing better traffic flow and cleaner public spaces, others criticize the lack of alternatives for street vendors, many of whom depend on their businesses for livelihood. Street vendors and their advocates argue that the government should focus on creating designated vending zones or providing job opportunities before outright bans.

The tension highlights a broader challenge in balancing urban development with the socio-economic realities of informal businesses in Kathmandu.

Mayor failed relocating

Mayor Balen Shah’s efforts to regulate street businesses in Kathmandu have faced criticism due to the lack of effective relocation plans for street vendors. While his administration has focused on clearing public spaces, the failure to provide sustainable alternatives has led to ongoing tensions. Here’s a breakdown of the issue:

Challenges in Relocating Street Vendors

Insufficient Planning
Relocation requires well-planned spaces that are easily accessible, have high foot traffic, and provide vendors with similar earning opportunities. However, these spaces have either been inadequately designed or nonexistent.
Resistance from Vendors
Vendors often resist relocation because designated vending zones, if available, are far from prime commercial areas, significantly reducing their customer base.
Overcrowding in Kathmandu
The city’s dense population and limited space make finding suitable locations for relocated vendors extremely challenging.
Budget and Resource Constraints
Developing dedicated vending areas requires significant investment in infrastructure, utilities, and management, which has not been fully addressed by the administration.
Lack of Coordination
Relocation requires collaboration with various stakeholders, including vendors, residents, and local authorities. A lack of consensus and clear policies has hindered progress.

Impacts of Inadequate Relocation

Livelihood Loss
Vendors, many of whom rely solely on street businesses, face financial hardship when displaced without alternative solutions.
Return to Streets
Without viable relocation, vendors often return to unauthorized areas, creating a cycle of evictions and re-encroachments.
Public Discontent
While some citizens appreciate cleaner public spaces, others criticize the administration for not addressing the socio-economic impact on vendors and their families.

Public Expectations

Critics argue that instead of focusing solely on evictions, Mayor Balen should:

Develop inclusive urban policies that balance the needs of vendors and urban residents.
Implement vending zones in high-footfall areas.
Introduce training programs to help vendors transition to formalized businesses.

The inability to relocate vendors effectively reflects a broader challenge in Kathmandu’s urban management: achieving modernization while ensuring social equity.