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Cycle repair shops located in front of hostels have been a vital part of campus life for a very long time, providing essential services to the community every day. However, recent developments have put these shops at risk, as vendors have been asked to vacate their spaces. In this article, Vox delves into the current structure of the working of these shops, explores the challenges in their functioning, and examines the changes proposed by the estate office. We also spoke with various stakeholders to understand the impact of these developments on both the vendors and the campus community.
Current Working
There are two types of cycle shops on campus: those that rent shops through Estate Office tenders and are officially allowed to sell bicycles, and those operating with a vendor’s pass issued by the SIS Office, which only permits them to repair bicycles within the campus. The former can be found in various locations, including the Old Shopping Complex and MT, while the latter are located at the entrances of different halls, with eight such shops in total. Due to their proximity to the hostels, the vendor shops tend to be more accessible to students. Vendors with a pass are permitted only to arrive in the morning, repair bicycles throughout the day, and leave campus with their tools by evening.
Vox spoke with a cycle shop owner near a hostel to understand the process of obtaining a vendor pass. The owner explained that they usually receive a form from the security office, which requires signatures from the hall’s warden and two other professors before being submitted to the Estate Office. This procedure has been in place for as long as these vendors have been on campus, some for up to 20 years. A vendor’s pass costs ₹360 per year, whereas renting a shop is much more expensive. Although these vendors typically operate under passes, over time, they have built permanent sheds and have begun selling second-hand bicycles, which is not permitted under the pass.
A cycle shop owner at the Old Shopping Complex, who has the shop tender, noted that his earnings significantly declined after COVID-19, especially when outside vendors were allowed on campus during the peak student arrival period (July-August). He told that his specialized gear repair skills attract off-campus customers and have kept him in business, unlike other shops that closed due to lack of expertise. He also mentioned that the cycle shop vendors near hostels have further affected his business.
What Happened
In June, cycle shop vendors attempted to renew their passes as they usually do. However, this time the Estate Office refused to process the renewals for all vendors. When the vendors inquired about the issue, they were informed that the Security Office would now handle the pass renewals. However, when they approached the Security Office, they were redirected back to the Estate Office, leaving them caught in a loop. By mid-June, security guards at the gates warned the vendors to renew their passes or vacate the space, as they would be denied entry to the campus after July 1st. However, the eviction process was halted following the intervention of some Hall Presidents, who met with the Estate Office to address the issue..
However, later a letter was sent to wardens of various hostels, which stated that the cycle shops in front of the hostels encroach on institute land. Wardens were requested to allocate space for cycle shops within the hostels, if needed, through a tendering process. The deadline for this process was set for August 31, 2024.
Possible Impacts
When asked about the possible impacts of removal of these shops on the cycle shop vendors and their services, they highlighted the following concerns:
- They mentioned that they earn very little from their work, and if they are required to pay the high rents associated with the tendering process, it would leave them with no room for profit. As a result, they would either need to raise their service prices or shut down their shops, as has happened in other parts of the campus. They pointed out that a few cycle shops at the Old Shopping Complex closed down because they were unable to afford the high rents.
- They also stressed the importance of their current location, which makes them easily accessible to the student community and even professors. Moving their shops inside hostels would significantly restrict their services, and they would also lose the ability to use air compressors.
Reasons for Change
Vox spoke with Mr. Dhruv Misra, President of Students’ Gymkhana, to understand the reasons behind this alteration. He highlighted that the primary concern is security. The Security Office had received complaints about security risks, including unknown individuals entering the campus and gathering at these shops. He pointed out that if any unfortunate incidents occur due to these shops, it would be unclear who should be held accountable since they are not part of the official tender process.
He also mentioned that the cycle pumps (compressors) are provided and funded by the hostels themselves. Additionally, he stated that all vendors plying on campus have to undergo a formal registration for legal and safety purposes. In return, the institute would provide them with facilities, such as secured space for their equipment.
Vox reached out to the Estate Office and the Dean of Administration for their opinion on this matter. However, they refused to comment, stating that the issue is still under process.
What's Ahead
When asked about the impact of these measures on the campus community, Dhruv acknowledged that it would affect them. He claimed that the goal is not to take away facilities from them but to provide them in a proper and designated manner.
Regarding the next steps, he stated that to expedite the process, the management will soon organize a meeting with all hall wardens. This meeting will aim to resolve disputes and provide the vendors with a designated place at a minimal cost.
As of August 30th, the meeting with wardens has not been organised yet.
Amidst these developments, when we reached out to the cycle shop vendors again, they told us that no shops had been allocated to them inside the halls, as of August 30th, 2024. Additionally, they have been instructed to vacate their current spaces by August 31st, 2024.
Written by: Vivek Pawar, Ayush Goyal, Aaryan Maheshwari
Edited by: Kaushal Jain
Designed by: Srija Duruseti
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