GUWAHATI: Students of Cotton University have voiced their opposition to the Guwahati Municipal Corporation's (GMC) plan to establish "Khao Gully" street food vending zones in the city.
The GMC's proposal aims to create designated areas for street food vendors, with the intent of curbing clashes between law enforcement and vendors, while also promoting entrepreneurship and lowering unemployment.
The two proposed locations for "Khao Gully" include the road connecting Panbazar to Guwahati railway station, opposite Food Villa, and the area in front of Dighalipukhuri, which has already gained popularity as a food hub. An official from GMC revealed that the decision to designate these zones was prompted by the desire to legitimise street vendors' businesses and provide them with a lawful space to operate.
However, the plan has met with resistance from Cotton University students.
Speaking to G Plus, Rituraj Saikia, the General Secretary of the university, expressed concerns that the proposed street food zones would disrupt the sanctity of the educational institution.
Saikia noted that many students traverse the designated area to access different departments, and the introduction of "Khao Gully" might disturb the academic environment, especially since students often spend extended hours in the library.
"Many students go from the MCB building to Botany and Zoology department. If this gully starts, this will hamper the decorum of our institution because many students stay in the library till late hours."
Saikia emphasised that the government must decide whether the space should be utilised for student activities or the street food vending initiative.
“We are against Khao Gully because such a decision will hamper the sanctity of the educational institution," Saikia said.
He demanded, "The government should decide whether they want to utilise this space for students or Khao Gully"
In response to the situation, Mrigen Sarania, the GMC Mayor, told G Plus that the establishment of "Khao Gully" is still in the process and only a few shops had been set up so far.