KATHMANDU, JULY 7

Kathmandu metropolis is seeking to implement its policy of removing footpath encroachment, but street vendors have their own tales of woe.

Manamaya Poudyal, 53, of Ramechhap has been selling garments on the footpath of Sundhara for the past one decade. She said the situation was different now and they had to remain watchful for the potential arrival of city police.

It has already been 15 years since the Poudyal family left the village. Now, Manamaya's children are grown up and they have become accustomed to the city life.

They are reluctant to go back to the village and she is finding it challenging to help her children settle in the valley.

She opined that the metropolis should come forward with alternatives to street vending before intervening in their business.

Ramjanam Mishra has a similar story to share with as of Manamaya. He has been selling fruits at the entrance of Dallu bridge since the past 17 years. He has the experiences of getting his goods seized by the city police on numerous occasions.

Each time his goods are seized, he is compelled to pay fine to get his belongings back. He has been feeding his six–member family from street vending. He also insists that the local government should provide them alternatives to earn a livelihood before unveiling the policy of vacating the street.

However, the metropolis says it is not in a position to provide space or fix location for operation of footpath business. It says it has no way out when it comes to controlling it.

A version of this article appears in the print on July 8, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.