Jaipur: Diwali season is a big opportunity for small vendors selling diyas, flowers, bangles and lac products to earn a large part of their annual income. However, finding space for them in the Walled City, where traders have been demanding encroachment-free verandahs and footpaths, is a challenge for Jaipur Municipal Corporation.Mayor Sunil Kothari has appealed to traders to keep the verandahs outside their shops free of encroachments. At the same time, the civic body is exploring ways to provide alternative spaces to small vendors during the festive season, including the possibility of setting up designated vending zones.
Preparation going on at many places like Sheela Mata temple at Amber Fort in Jaipur, Rajasthan on 10 October 2026.Preparation also seen at different markets ahead of Navratri festival in the cityDiwali season is a big opportunity for small vendors selling diyas, flowers, bangles and lac products to earn a large part of their annual income. However, finding space for them in the Walled City, where traders have been demanding encroachment-free verandahs and footpaths, is a challenge for Jaipur Municipal Corporation.
Walled City traders have demanded that temporary stalls and carts operating from verandahs and footpaths also be removed as this could help ease congestion.Kothari, however, said the interests of small vendors also need to be considered while planning arrangements for the festive season. “Vending zones will be created for small vendors soon. Focus is on providing people across all sections with means to meet their needs,” he said.
Preparation going on at many places like Sheela Mata temple at Amber Fort in Jaipur, Rajasthan on 10 October 2026.Preparation also seen at different markets ahead of Navratri festival in the cityDiwali season is a big opportunity for small vendors selling diyas, flowers, bangles and lac products to earn a large part of their annual income. However, finding space for them in the Walled City, where traders have been demanding encroachment-free verandahs and footpaths, is a challenge for Jaipur Municipal Corporation.
He said the civic body would discuss with the police restricting four-wheelers in the Walled City’s main markets for three days during Diwali. Under the proposal being explored, small vendors could be allowed to set up stalls at designated parking spaces.These could include sellers of diyas, flowers, sugarcane, lac products and bangles, who depend on the festive season for a significant share of their earnings.
New traffic system implemented from today for the festive season in Jaipur, Rajasthan on 10 October 2026
Walled city Encroachment
Ensuring proper sanitation across Jaipur ahead of Diwali is another priority for Kothari. A ward-wise cleanliness drive is part of the preparations, but a shortage of sanitation workers is a challenge. When staff are deployed for a special drive in one ward, routine cleaning in other areas can suffer.Kothari said the corporation would limit redeployment of staff during the special Diwali cleanliness drive. “Yes, other wards are left without adequate cleaning when these campaigns are conducted. However, during the special cleanliness drive for Diwali, we will take only 40% of the manpower from other wards. Since it is a two-day per week campaign, impact on other wards will not be significant,” he said.The condition of narrow, dirty bylanes across the Walled City is another issue. Kothari acknowledged that they should have been cleaned before the monsoon. He added the agency will now address the problem.
