Activist seeks crackdown on illegal street vending, late-night hotels

Mangaluru: Social activist Prasanna Ravi on Friday urged authorities in Mangaluru to take strict action against illegal street vending and hotels allegedly operating beyond stipulated hours, citing public inconvenience, safety risks, and cleanliness concerns in key city stretches.

Addressing reporters on Friday, Prasanna said roads and footpaths in areas such as Rao and Rao Circle, the State Bank (Hampankatta) to Lady Goschen stretch, and the Town Hall vicinity are being encroached upon, especially on weekends. She alleged that every Saturday and Sunday, individuals from outside the area set up unlicensed stalls selling old clothes, vegetables, food items, and other goods without municipal permission or identity cards.

Prasanna claimed the encroachment of footpaths forces pedestrians onto busy roads, heightening accident risk in already traffic-heavy zones. She said residents have also reported theft incidents and cases of mobile phone and purse snatching amid crowded conditions.

She further alleged that some vendors conduct business under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicants, creating fear among women and families, who use the busy stretch. Complaints of harassment and indecent behavior towards women have also been reported, she alleged.

Highlighting the Town Hall as a regular venue for Sunday cultural and public programmes, she said vending near entrance gates causes discomfort for attendees, particularly women, children, and families. She accused some vendors of littering public areas with liquor bottles, food waste, and other garbage, affecting civic hygiene. Prasanna also raised concerns about a few hotels continuing operations beyond police-regulated closing hours.