Ranchi Vendors Demand Extended Hours Amidst Soaring Temperatures

Ranchi: With daytime temperatures continuing to soar in Ranchi, evening market vendors have demanded longer business hours and improved civic facilities, saying customer footfall peaks late at night rather than during the day.

Representatives of the Morabadi Vendor Market Association met officials of the Ranchi Municipal Corporation on Wednesday and sought permission to keep shops open till 11 pm.

Both the Morabadi Vendor Market and Atal Vendor Market were developed by the RMC to rehabilitate roadside vendors and reduce congestion in busy commercial areas. Morabadi Vendor Market accommodates over 200 vendors and has emerged as a popular evening food and recreation hub. The Atal Vendor Market on Kutchery Road was designed with nearly 478 shops for traders shifted from the Daily Market and surrounding roadside stretches.

“People avoid coming out before sunset. Earlier, the crowd would build up by 6 pm, but now business starts after 8 pm. If markets begin shutting by 10 pm, many vendors hardly get time to recover their daily operating costs,” said Kumar Roshan, president of the Morabadi Vendor Market Association.

“During weekends, both Morabadi and Atal vendor markets witness huge footfall, especiallywith youngsters and families. But lack of proper parking and drinking water facilities creates inconvenience,” said Ram Das, a food stall operator at Morabadi.

Assistant municipal commissioner Nikesh Kumar said, “We have received the application submitted by vendors. Decisions will be taken keeping security and public safety in mind.”