Operation Lungs in Vizag sparks protests after road vendors removed over encroachments

Visakhapatnam: What was intended as a city development initiative has turned into a setback for many street vendors.

The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) has launched Operation Lungs (Life to Urban Green Spaces) 2.0 to clear encroachments and restore public spaces, but the move has drawn sharp criticism.

GVMC removed nearly 1,700 roadside vendors

As part of the drive, GVMC removed nearly 1,700 roadside vendors and small shops that had occupied footpaths and service roads, particularly along Old Jail Road, a popular hub for night food stalls.

Officials said they had received repeated complaints about street vendors blocking half the road, leaving little space for pedestrians and vehicles.

Vendors protest

Following the operation, affected vendors staged a protest at the Mahatma Gandhi statue near the GVMC office, backed by trade unions including CITU and AITUC. They demanded immediate restoration of their stalls.

“Thousands of our families lost their livelihood in a single day. The government gave no notice, and this came just before Navaratri,” said a food vendor who ran a barbecue stall at Old Jail Road.

Mixed public response

The civic initiative has drawn mixed reactions.

Many residents supported the clearance, saying it would ease traffic and restore footpaths. Others expressed concern that small traders were removed without being provided with vending zones and argued that a food court adds vibrancy to a growing city like Visakhapatnam.

Some residents also raised hygiene and food quality issues at the night stalls.

Officials’ stand

GVMC Commissioner Ketan Garg said the removals followed Council resolutions passed in 2023 and again on August 22, 2025.

About 160 shops along South Jail Road near Central Park,

Madhavdhara junction, MVP colony, NAD, Kommadi, Madhurawada, Akkayapalem, NSTl, Tagrapuvalasa were found to be encroaching on the service road. While 60 vendors vacated voluntarily, the rest were cleared. He pointed out that the shops were unauthorised and contributed no revenue to the municipality.

Chief City Planner A. Prabhakar Rao explained that Operation Lungs 2.0 was part of city development efforts ahead of events like the International Fleet Review and Partnership Summit 2025.

“We are restoring footpaths and preparing to fence and develop around 300 open spaces. This is not against food vendors. Eligible vendors have been asked to apply for spaces in designated hawker zones,” he said.

Vending zones

GVMC officials stressed that the drive aims to balance cleanliness and livelihoods.

Already, 21 vending zones have been identified where vendors can operate without obstruction. Registered and eligible vendors—those with BPL status, Aadhaar, MEPMa enrollment, or GVMC registration—will be allotted stalls and can also access benefits under PM SVANidhi.