Kolkata: In the wake of the tragic incident that took place in Behala where a student was run over on Diamond Harbour Road near Barisha High School, the Town Vending Committee (TVC) will be carrying out a thorough survey in school areas to see if hawkers are blocking passageways.
This survey will be carried out within the areas under the limits of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC).
Earlier, KMC Mayor Firhad Hakim had written to the police to ensure hawkers sit at a 50-metre distance from all crossings and leave the mandatory two-thirds of the space on the pavement for pedestrians.
Since then, drives are being carried out in the city to free spaces encroached by hawkers.
It is now learnt that to clear the spaces near schools, which have been encroached upon by the hawkers, a TVC team will be visiting areas to survey the spots.
If hawkers are found violating the rule, which is to leave a 10-feet space on either side of the educational institutions, they will not be given the vending certificates or the ones who have received them will see it getting revoked. This is to ensure that the pathway to schools and educational institutions is not blocked while there is adequate space for pedestrians. The 10-feet rule will also be applied near banks and offices.
On Friday, Mayor Firhad Hakim handed over several vending certificates to hawkers. This move is aimed at regulating the hawker scene in the city besides the Calcutta High Court also asking the state to submit in court steps taken to regulate hawkers.
However, it is learnt that these certificates are not a permanent licence for hawking and will be renewed every year.
Therefore, the certificates of those who violate rules will not be renewed.
The vending licence bears the name of the hawker along with the area where the person is carrying out his trade and the items being sold.