Srinagar being an ancient city has long history of traditional bazaars and street business. The traditional street bazaar functioned adjacent to the river ghats, on shikaras, along the edges of water bodies and near the seat of power and religious places. Over the years the street business has changed its dimension and disposition. It has become pervasive and dominate the urban landscape holding key place in urban economy. From early, street business has long been a defining element of urban landscapes and city morphology. From the bustling Mehraj gunj to Mehraj Bazar to the present full of go street stalls of Lal Chowk, Batamaloo, Goni Khan, Parimpora, Jawahar Nagar, Soura, Dargah Hazratbal, Panthachowk, and other areas street business is playing a crucial role in shaping Srinagar. It is more than just a mode of economic activity. It is a key element in urban liveliness, social interaction, urban dynamism and economic resilience. Despite its significance, street business is often disregarded in the overall city functioning and planning. Street business has existed from inception and has been all long an integral part of urban life across in Srinagar. It plays a crucial role in both the economy and social fabric of the city. The full of life streets of Lal Chowk, Hari Singh High Street, Residency Road and other street business places are filled with vendors selling everything from fresh produce to Kashmiri handicrafts, providing livelihood opportunities for thousands of people and cheap and accessible consumer items in the e-commerce age also. As such Street vending is not just a means of earning an income but also a reflection of Srinagar’s rich cultural heritage.
Economic Role of Street Business
Srinagar's economy is deeply reliant on small-scale trade and informal businesses, with street business playing a key role in sustaining livelihoods and providing easy job opportunities to both unskilled and skilled. Many street vendors come from economically weaker backgrounds and have no access to formal employment opportunities. For these individuals, street vending provides an entry into entrepreneurship with minimal investment. One of the key contributions of street vendors is the availability of affordable goods. Whether it is fresh vegetables, clothing, footwear, or household items, street vendors cater to the daily needs of thousands of residents at prices lower than those in established retail markets. This affordability is particularly important for low-income consumers who might otherwise struggle to access necessary goods. Additionally, street vendors play a crucial role in creating employment opportunities beyond themselves. Many vendors rely on local suppliers for their goods, indirectly supporting wholesalers, transporters, and small-scale manufacturers. This cycle of commerce contributes to the local economy, ensuring that money circulates within Srinagar rather than being concentrated in large corporate retailers.
Street Business and Tourism
Srinagar, being one of India’s top tourist destinations, attracts visitors from across the world. Tourists flock to the city to experience its breathtaking landscapes, rich history, and unique culture. Street vendors form an essential part of this experience, offering handcrafted Kashmiri products, including Pashmina shawls, papier-mâché artifacts, and walnut wood carvings. These vendors bridge the gap between artisans and tourists, ensuring that traditional crafts continue to thrive in a modern economy.
Apart from handicrafts, Srinagar’s street food vendors contribute significantly to the city’s tourism experience. Some streets have got the name of the trade run by the street vendors and people throng these with specific purpose. In addition, local delicacies such as Harisa, Seekh Kebabs, Khewa, wazwan, Nadru Monje, and Noon Chai are sold by vendors across the city, attracting both locals and tourists alike. The presence of street food not only adds vivacity to Srinagar’s streets but also preserves its culinary heritage.
Tourist-heavy areas such as the Dal Lake, Boulevard, Ghanta Ghar area, Amira Kadal, Naaz area, Hari Singh High Street often have a high concentration of street vendors offering souvenirs, spices, saffron, vegetables, and fruits. These businesses cater to visitors and city population while benefiting the local economy by generating revenue and employment. However, due to the lack of structured regulations, vendors in these areas frequently face eviction during urban beautification projects, affecting their livelihoods.
Socio-Cultural Importance
Street commerce in Srinagar is not just about economics—it is a significant part of the city's social and cultural life. Markets in Srinagar are places where people gather, interact, and engage in daily conversations. The presence of vendors ensures that streets remain active and lively, creating a sense of community. Many street vendors inherit their businesses from their families, passing down knowledge and trade skills through generations. Whether it is a vendor selling Kangris (traditional fire pots) during winter or a craftsman displaying intricate Aari embroidery, dried vegetables/fish and street business allows Kashmiris to maintain a connection to their cultural heritage. Furthermore, street vendors often serve as important information nodes within the community. They provide updates on local events, news, and even security situations. In a city like Srinagar, where people are politically very active and street vendors help in spreading real-time information to the public.
Challenges Faced by Street Business
Despite its importance, street business in Srinagar faces numerous challenges. Regulatory crackdowns, seasonal disruptions, urban congestion, and political uncertainties making survival of vendors difficult and fragile. While street vendors contribute significantly to Srinagar’s economy, they are often viewed as encroachers rather than essential economic actors. Addressing these issues requires a balanced approach that integrates street business into urban planning rather than displacing it. In spite of their contributions, street vendors in Srinagar face several challenges that threaten their livelihoods and economic stability. One of the biggest challenges for street vendors in Srinagar is the lack of formal recognition. Unlike some Indian cities where vending zones have been established under the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, Srinagar has not fully implemented structured policies for street vendors. As a result, vendors operate in a legal gray area and are often at risk of eviction. Authorities regularly conduct anti-encroachment drives, removing vendors from public spaces under the justification of decongesting streets. These evictions not only disrupt businesses but also push many families into economic uncertainty. Since most vendors do not have alternate sources of income, losing their vending space means a direct loss of livelihood. Srinagar’s harsh winters pose a significant challenge for street vendors. The city experiences heavy snowfall, making it difficult for vendors to operate outdoors. Unlike shopkeepers who have indoor spaces, street vendors are directly affected by weather conditions, leading to reduced sales and financial instability. Additionally, vendors in Srinagar face disruptions due to security-related issues. Political instability has long been a challenge in the region, and every time the city comes to a standstill, street vendors are among the worst affected. Unlike formal businesses, they have no financial safety nets to absorb such losses and shocks. Srinagar’s urban infrastructure struggles to accommodate the growing number of vehicles and pedestrians. With narrow roads and limited designated vending spaces, vendors often set up stalls on sidewalks and streets, leading to traffic congestion. This creates friction between vendors, pedestrians, and local authorities. In cities like Delhi and Mumbai, urban planners have implemented structured vending zones to prevent conflicts between street vendors and traffic movement. However, Srinagar lacks such structured vending spaces, forcing vendors to operate in contested areas where they are seen as obstructions rather than contributors to urban life. With the rise of supermarkets and online shopping, street vendors in Srinagar face increasing competition. Larger retail chains offer similar products with the convenience of home delivery, reducing foot traffic in traditional street markets. While street vendors still provide a unique and affordable shopping experience, they struggle to compete with the growing dominance and accessibility of digital commerce.
The Future of Street Commerce
As Srinagar continues to grow, street business will only proliferate and grow in significance. In the post-pandemic world, where economic resilience is crucial, street business offers a flexible and accessible way for people to rebuild their livelihoods. Moreover, as urban populations demand more walkable and community-oriented spaces, street vendors will play a critical role in shaping public life. Since Srinagar is predominantly an amorphously grown/growing city, street business is likely to uphold its indelible presence and continue to be a viable economic activity. Smart city initiatives would be required to incorporate technology to support vendors. Mobile payment systems, digital marketing, and online platforms can help street vendors reach larger audiences and compete with formal businesses. Some cities have already experimented with vending apps that allow customers to locate nearby food stalls or schedule deliveries.
Moreover, policies and plans need to shift from a punitive approach to a more supportive one. Instead of displacing vendors, urban planners should make mandatory provisions and design infrastructure that accommodates them. Providing shade structures, designated vending spaces, space in formal malls/plazas and access to utilities like water and electricity can improve both vendor operations and public spaces.
The Way Forward
Given the importance of street business in Srinagar, it is crucial to adopt policies that balance urban development with the needs of street vendors. Instead of evicting vendors, city authorities should work towards formalizing and regulating street commerce in a way that benefits both vendors, citizens and the urban environment. It would require development structured vending zones in key commercial areas/nodal activity places ensuring vendors have legal spaces to operate without obstructing traffic. These zones need to be designed with weather-resistant infrastructure to accommodate vendors during harsh winters. The implementation of the Street Vendors Act in Srinagar would provide vendors with formal recognition, reducing arbitrary evictions and allowing them to operate with legal protection and grace. Government also adopt the policy of not to displace vendors in tourist areas, and instead shall integrate them into tourism promotion efforts. Night markets, heritage bazaars, and cultural street fairs can be organized to attract visitors while supporting local vendors to make “Srinagar a Happening City” by imbuing it charm of late night activities and city life. In Srinagar many street vendors are reeling through abject poverty and struggle due to lack of access to credit. Introducing microfinance programs or low-interest loans can help vendors expand their businesses and improve their financial stability and reduce pressure of unemployment.
Srinagar livability is closely tied to the vibrancy of its streets, and street business plays a key role in this. Streets with active vendors tend to be more pedestrian-friendly, attracting foot traffic and reducing the dominance of vehicles. The presence of vendors encourages walkability by providing reasons for people to engage with their surroundings, pause, and interact with others as such appropriate provisions need to be made to enhance walkability in the city.
Thus, street business is an essential element of urban life, offering economic opportunities, fostering social interaction, and enhancing the vibrancy of public spaces. While it faces challenges from regulation and urban development pressures, a more inclusive and strategic approach to urban planning can ensure that street commerce continues to thrive. By recognizing its value and integrating it into urban policies, cities can create more dynamic, equitable, and livable environments. Rather than viewing street commerce as an obstacle, urban planners should embrace it as a powerful force that contributes to the heartbeat of a city.
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