Mandatory Formation of Inter-Departmental Task Force for Integrated Public Space Re-development and Regulated Street Vending.

In brief

The question

1. Whether the proposed time-slot allocation for street vendors is a practical and sustainable method for regulating vending in high-congestion areas

The court held

The court disposed of the contempt petition by directing a meeting on May 12, 2026, between the Deputy Commissioner, MCD, and vendor representatives to finalize a practical vending plan restricted to 126 CoV holders

It also directed

It constituted a "Special Task Force" chaired by the Joint Secretary of the Urban Development Department to formulate a comprehensive redevelopment plan for the area. The Court ordered the PWD to prepare a detailed architectural sketch and 3D plan by May 26, 2026, and directed the SHO to ensure zero unauthorized vending in the interim

Only recognized CoV holders may vend; multi-agency coordination is mandatory for urban redevelopment

01Facts

The petitioners filed a contempt petition alleging non-compliance with a court order dated January 22/27, 2026, which directed the beautification of the Anand Vihar Bus Terminal and the removal of unauthorized hawkers while protecting 105 recognized vendors

p. 2, 5

The petitioners alleged that even authorized vendors were removed and that unauthorized vendors were now illegally occupying the space

pp. 5-6

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) identified a total of 126 vendors with provisional Certificates of Vending (CoV) and proposed a time-slot-based vending plan

p. 7

the court noted that the redevelopment of the area involves multiple jurisdictions, including the PWD, DTC, Railways, DMRC, and NCRTC

pp. 9-10

02Issues

i.1. Whether the proposed time-slot allocation for street vendors is a practical and sustainable method for regulating vending in high-congestion areas

p. 7 / para. 12

ii.2. Whether a multi-agency "Special Task Force" is required to coordinate the comprehensive beautification and redevelopment of the Anand Vihar Bus Terminal area

p. 10 / para. 20

03Law Applied

Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014, specifically the principles surrounding the issuance and protection offered by Certificates of Vending (CoV)

pp. 7-8

Section 11 and 12 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971

p. 2

the state has a duty to provide demarcated zones to prevent public commotion and maintain hygiene

p. 7, 12

Provisions in the judgment · 2 · Linked ones open on LawLens

Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 Section 11 Section 12

04Reasoning

The court rejected the MCD’s proposal for 1.5-hour time slots, reasoning that such short durations would lead to inter-vender disputes and cause "unavoidable commotion" due to constant cart movement

p. 7

the court determined that no single agency could execute the beautification alone. Consequently, it applied a collaborative governance model by constituting a "Special Task Force" to unify the efforts of the Urban Development Department, Railways, PWD, and others

pp. 10-11

The court mandated that the PWD use professional architectural services, including 3D modeling, to ensure the plan meets modern urban standards while strictly limiting rights to the 126 CoV holders

p. 8, 12