Mayor Sudheer Shetty Kannur
Mangaluru: Mayor Sudheer Shetty Kannur has announced the relaunch of the ‘Tiger’ operation in Mangaluru on July 29, aimed at clearing footpaths of street vendors to improve pedestrian access and cleanliness. The operation will target prominent areas of the city where footpaths are often obstructed by vendors.
Addressing reporters after a phone-in program at the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) office on Wednesday, Mayor Shetty detailed the clearance plans, which will focus on five key business zones within the MCC administration limits. These zones include two locations near Lady Goschen Hospital and one each in Surathkal, Mannagudda, and Kavoor. The operation will specifically target businesses set up in tents or permanent structures along roadsides, requiring them to vacate the space. However, pushcart vendors will be allowed to continue their trade by the roadside.
Mayor Shetty emphasized that the clearance is necessary to address pedestrian accessibility and road cleanliness. He assured that after the clearance, the MCC would provide necessary facilities to the affected businesses within a month, allowing them to continue their operations without inconveniencing citizens.
The mayor explained that the MCC had previously allowed these businesses to operate on humanitarian grounds. However, efforts to clear roadside stalls, particularly along Airport Road, had met with resistance from vendors who filed police complaints against authorities and attempted to intimidate officers, he noted with disappointment.
Mannagudda Corporator added that local residents had also raised concerns about the business zone in Mannagudda, supporting the need for action.
The press meeting was attended by Deputy Mayor Suneetha, Deputy Commissioner of the MCC Girish Nandan, and the president of the MCC Standing Committee, who all expressed their support for the operation’s objectives to restore public access and cleanliness in the city.
