The ongoing drive to clear roads for smoother movement of vehicles has taken a toll on eateries in the city. Food joint owners are saying their businesses have dropped by about 25 per cent since the drive began about a month ago. They fear if the drive is prolonged, they will be forced to lay off employees and may have to even shut down operations. They, however, said that people now prefer to order food from aggregator apps like Zomato, Swiggy, and Uber Eats.
"Footfall and business have dipped by about 25 per cent. People are not coming fearing lack of parking space. They are preferring to get their food delivered through apps. These Multi-National Corporation-owned are having a good time," said a joint owner of a popular Gujarati food joint.
The owner of another restaurant chain said they have a valid license to operate restaurants and are operating out of a commercial location earmarked by the civic body. He is enraged with the manner in which the placards of shops are being taken down, without being provided with an alternative. "Signages are identities of shops. The way in these drives are being conducted, hotels will soon run out of business and traffic will automatically reduce. Small businesses will shut down and only those with deep pockets will survive," he said, warning that prolonged measures will lead to job losses and shutting down of businesses.
Hiren Gandhi, Co-Chairman, Food Security Committee of Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), said that parking facilities are a must to lure customers. "The manner in which the drive is being carried out has posed a threat to businessmen. We are not sure when businesses will be back to normal. Authorities are coming up with parking spaces but they have to create proper infrastructure. Hotel owners are opting for valet parking, but the burden will be on the customers," said Gandhi.
Jaimin Shah, president of GCCI, said that a balance needs to be maintained between the interest of businessmen and maintaining discipline in parking. "We are concerned about the manner in which signages are being removed. The GCCI has sought the right methodology of putting up signages. This is a festive season and in absence of signages, shops will lose out on business. The government should also provide alternatives so that there is no loss of livelihood," he said.
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