Threat to old book stalls on Ryves Canal Bund

The compact city of Vijayawada with river Krishna on one side, three major agricultural canals dividing the city apart and the hills at all corners of the city blocking the continuity of the residential and commercial structures. With such a complicated landscape land pooling is definitely not a cake walk.

In these circumstances the government is forced to take back the land for the capital development at few places allocated earlier to the petty vendors by providing alternate arrangements to them. In this context 32 ‘Old Books Shops’ near Lenin Centre on the bund of Ryves canal are to be relocated. Notices were served to all the owners of the book shops a year ago by the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation asking them to vacate.

Speaking to The Hans India team, Prasad, owner of Ganapathi book stall said, "Vijayawada is an educational hub and all the students of all age groups starting from schooling to various professional courses come to Lenin centre to buy books. It is an age old practice for the people of Vijayawada to buy and even sell old books here in these shops.

The location is ideal, and a big business centre for all the people to come and shop. It is very close to the bus stop, private transport is available close by as well. We have approached the local MLA and the Corporator urging them not to relocate, as it would affect their business and it would be difficult for students to come a long way to buy books. So the government should look into the matter seriously and take a decision," he added.

By Pradeep