The Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) is aware of the situation and has been receiving complaints from residents. However, officials say they must balance the needs of both residents and flower vendors
Every morning, residents of TRP Road in Bharalumukh wake up to the same struggle—a street choked with flower vendors, honking vehicles, and frustrated commuters. What was once a quiet neighbourhood has now turned into a chaotic battleground, with residents clashing with vendors over blocked entrances and obstructed school buses.
ALSO READ: No Proper Counting Methodology Raises Questions Over Assam Tourism Footfall Figures
The situation has reached a boiling point, with locals accusing authorities of inaction and flower vendors defending their right to earn a livelihood. Meanwhile, the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) acknowledges the issue but has yet to come up with a concrete solution.
The problem starts before sunrise. Flower vendors, who sell garlands and fresh blooms for religious and personal use, set up makeshift stalls along TRP Road, encroaching on footpaths and even building entrances. While their business thrives, residents are left struggling to navigate their own neighbourhood.
Speaking to GPlus, Seema, a resident of TRP Road said, "These vendors set up shop early in the morning and cause chaos until 8 or 9 AM. It’s become a real problem because they have started blocking the main gates of buildings. We can’t get in or out easily."
For families with school going children, the situation is even worse. Parents say their mornings are filled with stress, arguing with vendors and trying to ensure their kids reach school safely.
"Every morning starts with a fight. Some days, it's with the flower vendors blocking our main gates. Other days, it’s the e-rickshaw drivers or people standing behind our children’s school bus," another resident said.
She described how the constant honking and confusion make it difficult for children to board their school buses.
"If a child is late by just two minutes, the bus cannot even wait. The congestion is so bad that the driver has no choice but to move on."
The issue has persisted for months, and residents claim that complaints to authorities have fallen on deaf ears.
"The police authorities come to supervise after 8:00 or 8:30 when the whole mandi is over. We are tired of complaining. So fed up. We don’t even know if we are being taken seriously. All the police visits feel like just a formality," the resident added.
At Aashi Anupama Heights, another residential complex on TRP Road, parents are concerned about the safety of their children. Due to the congestion, school buses are forced to park at a distance, leaving children with no choice but to walk through the crowded street.
Roshni Didwania, a resident, told GPlus, "Because of these flower vendors, our children’s school buses have to wait elsewhere, and they have to walk a long distance to catch them. When we ask the vendors to move, they argue and use foul language. It’s just become too much."
Some parents have even started accompanying their children every morning to ensure their safety. However, this is not a sustainable solution, especially for working parents who have to rush to their own jobs.
While residents are frustrated, flower vendors say they have no choice but to sell their goods on TRP Road. Many of them come from economically weaker backgrounds and depend on daily sales to support their families.
A vendor seeking anonymity talking to GPlus said," Where else will we go? This is our only source of income. We know it creates problems, but we also need to survive. If the government provides us with another place, we will move."
Another vendor explained that demand for flowers is highest in the early hours of the morning, as people buy them for religious offerings. If they set up shop later in the day, their sales would plummet.
"We don’t want to cause trouble, but we need to earn our livelihood. We set up early because people buy flowers before heading to temples or their workplaces. If we start late, no one will buy from us," he added.
The Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) is aware of the situation and has been receiving complaints from residents. However, officials say they must balance the needs of both residents and vendors.
A senior GMC official, speaking to GPlus, stated, "We cannot just remove flower vendors because they supply flowers for religious purposes. Flowers are needed daily. But if they are causing disruption, we will find them a better spot where they won’t create chaos."
The GMC has proposed the idea of dedicated vending zones, where vendors can operate without causing inconvenience to residents. However, the implementation has been slow, and no final decision has been made.
"We are identifying locations where vendors can be relocated, but it is a complicated process. We need to ensure the new area is accessible and that vendors agree to move," the official added.
Despite these assurances, no timeline has been set for when the new vending zones will be ready. This uncertainty has left both residents and vendors in a state of limbo.
For the residents of TRP Road, waiting for a long-term solution is no longer an option. Many believe stricter regulation is needed in the meantime to control the daily congestion.
The situation at TRP Road is a classic case of livelihood vs. public convenience—a problem that many urban centers across India face. While vendors have a right to work, residents also have a right to live in a congestion-free environment.
With no clear resolution in sight, the residents of Bharalumukh continue their daily struggle. Whether the GMC can provide a fair solution remains to be seen, but for now, the battle between vendors and residents rages on, one chaotic morning at a time.
