Mangaluru: Street vendors at the Sunday Bazaar, relocated from the busy Town Hall stretch to Rosario Road, have finally witnessed a business revival, with customers returning in encouraging numbers during the third week to the new venue.After two difficult weekends marked by poor customer turnout and substantial financial losses, traders experienced a noticeable improvement in footfall on Sunday. The 95 allotted vendors, who had earlier struggled with poor visibility and inadequate bus connectivity, said the increased customer movement brought much-needed relief and renewed hope.During the initial two weeks following the relocation, several vendors reported a sharp decline in earnings, with daily business dropping from thousands of rupees to barely Rs 200 to Rs 300. The situation also resulted in perishable goods remaining unsold and going to waste, raising concerns over their livelihoods.However, the third Sunday brought a steady stream of customers to the designated vending zone, with shoppers visiting the numbered stalls measuring 6×4 sqft each, to buy fresh vegetables, groceries and household essentials.“Customers have now started coming, and we are positive that through word of mouth and local regular commuters, the footfall will surely increase and ensure a good business outcome for us,” said a local vegetable vendor at the Sunday Bazaar.The gradual improvement comes amid earlier assurances from MCC officials and Town Vending Committee chairperson Swamy AL that customer movement would eventually shift to Rosario Road once unauthorised roadside vending near Town Hall was strictly curbed.The latest turnout has offered vendors hope that the new location will gradually regain its customer base and provide them with a sustainable source of livelihood.
