Street vendors from Haridwar’s bus-stand unit continued their sit-in outside the municipal commissioner’s office on Thursday, marking the fourth day of their protest. The traders allege that they are being denied permission to work despite holding licences and vending certificates issued by the Municipal Corporation.

The vendors are demanding permission to resume business on the basis of those documents. They have also accused the civic administration of harassment, although the allegations have not been independently established in the available material.

Vendors cite licences for 2026-27

The traders said the Municipal Corporation issued licences for March, April and May of financial year 2026-27. Despite those licences, they claim they have been prevented from conducting business in the areas covered by the documents.

Sanjay Chopra, state president of the Small Traders Association, visited the protest at the bus-stand unit and expressed support for the vendors’ demands. He warned that the protest could be expanded if the issue is not resolved.

Chopra referred to the Prime Minister Street Vendors’ Self-Reliant Scheme and the Uttarakhand Urban Street Vending Policy Rules, 2016. He said street vendors included in the 2018 survey should be organised in vending zones under these provisions.

He further said traders who have received licences and vending certificates for particular areas should be allowed to earn their livelihoods there. He also urged the Municipal Corporation to share information about the matter with the Kumbh Mela administration and the general administration.

Participants and next step

The protest included Street Vending Committee members Rajkumar Singh, Kamal Singh, Naresh Ma. Tomar, Tasleem Ahmad, Suman Gupta, Asha Devi, Sunil Kukreti, Manish Sharma, Umesh Kumar, Azam Ansari, Lalachand Gupta, Vijay Gupta, Narsingh Kumar, Kapil Singh, Nitish Agrawal, Vikas, Manju Pal and Radhe Krishna.

The traders’ immediate demand is that the civic administration recognise the licences and vending certificates already issued and allow business in the relevant locations. Chopra said a broader movement would follow if their demands remain unresolved.

Conclusion

Haridwar’s bus-stand street vendors say they remain unable to trade despite licences and vending certificates for March, April and May of financial year 2026-27. Their sit-in continued for a fourth day, with organisers warning of a wider protest if the Municipal Corporation does not address the issue.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Where are the vendors protesting?

The vendors are holding their sit-in outside the municipal commissioner’s office in Haridwar.

Q. Which group is involved in the protest?

Street vendors from the bus-stand unit are participating in the sit-in.

Q. What are the vendors demanding?

They want permission to trade on the basis of their issued licences and vending certificates.

Q. For which period were the licences issued?

The vendors said licences were issued for March, April and May of financial year 2026-27.

Q. Who visited the protest?

Sanjay Chopra, state president of the Small Traders Association, visited the protest and supported the vendors’ demands.

Q. What wider policy framework did Chopra cite?

He referred to the Prime Minister Street Vendors’ Self-Reliant Scheme and the Uttarakhand Urban Street Vending Policy Rules, 2016.

Q. What action has been threatened if the issue remains unresolved?

The organisers have warned that the protest could be expanded into a broader movement.