Patna: Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) has announced plans to relocate roadside vendors from JP Ganga Path, popularly known as Marine Drive, to a newly proposed vending zone near Digha Golambar. The move is part of a broader effort to regulate informal vending and reduce persistent traffic congestion along the busy riverfront corridor.
Officials said the proposed site will be developed with essential infrastructure, including a foot overbridge, parking facilities, public toilets and access to drinking water. At present, unregulated vending along the roadside frequently disrupts traffic flow, particularly during peak hours, leading to long queues of vehicles and safety concerns for pedestrians.
Municipal commissioner Yashpal Meena said nearly three dozen vending zones have been proposed across Patna as part of a citywide urban management plan. Under this initiative, the stretch from Digha Golambar to Surya Mandir has been identified for the rehabilitation of vendors currently operating along Marine Drive. Punya Taru, the executive officer of the Patliputra zone, has inspected the site in the presence of vendors and local officials.
According to the corporation, the initial phase of the project will involve road construction and the covering of open drains, followed by the removal of cattle sheds and other encroachments. Authorities estimate that the temporary relocation of vendors could take between one and two months. Civic officials argue that the plan will not only streamline vending activities but also significantly ease traffic pressure on JP Ganga Path.
Meanwhile, members of the Marine Drive Vendors’ Association have continued their protest for a third consecutive day. Vendors claim they were assured permanent counters by January 14 after being removed from their previous spots nearly three months ago. With the promise yet to be fulfilled, many are currently operating from makeshift locations along the Ganges riverbank, where they say poor accessibility, dust and the absence of basic amenities such as drinking water and toilets have severely affected their livelihoods. Association leaders, including Manish Kant, Raman Kumar Nirala and Nishant Kumar, were present at the demonstration.
