Street Vendors During the Festive Season: The Mystery of Desforges Street Remains Unresolved
Street vendors during the festive season: the mystery of Desforges Street remains unresolved. This street continues to be the most contested area in the plan for the reorganization of street commerce for the last two weeks of December. The file must be finalized within the inter-ministerial committee chaired by Shakeel Mohamed before being presented again next Friday.
A strong government current opposes any occupation of Desforges Street and Royal Street, considering them strategic traffic routes. According to this position, no main artery in the country is allowed to be obstructed by street activities during normal or festive periods. Thus, Port-Louis cannot be an exception, especially given the abuses by some vendors who even occupied part of the street last year.
The imperatives put forward include: road safety, accessibility for emergency services (firefighters, police, ambulance), and the continuity of traffic flow in the center of Port-Louis.
Supporters of this approach argue that it serves the general interest of all users of the capital.
On the other hand, another current, driven by backbenchers elected in Port-Louis, advocates that Desforges Street remains accessible to street vendors during the festive period. Their argument primarily hinges on not alienating these street vendors, who are their constituents, by denying them access to Desforges Street. Moreover, these vendors fear that activities on side streets will yield much less profit for them. They believe this is the only time of the year that presents a lucrative opportunity. Many of these street vendors have already stocked up.
Minister Shakeel Mohamed has been tasked with presenting a consolidated file. This must include a detailed report from the Traffic Management & Road Safety Unit (TMRSU) regarding downtown traffic, congestion risks, and constraints related to access for emergency vehicles; a precise layout plan, including authorized zones, hours, and security measures.
Which interest will prevail?: the immediate interest of street vendors demanding access to Desforges Street, or the collective interest aimed at preserving the fluidity of the capital's heart. The decision expected next Friday will need to resolve this urban equation, which remains one of the most sensitive points in managing the festive season in Port-Louis.
The Port-Louis municipality had prepared a plan to locate street vendors in six streets that would become pedestrianized from 6 PM, prohibiting them from Desforges Street and Royal Street. It seems this plan has been ignored by the inter-ministerial committee.
The night market is to be established on six streets in the city center, according to the planned perimeter:
- Sir William Newton Street
- Louis Pasteur Street (reserved exclusively for cooked food sales)
- Rémy Ollier Street
- Léoville L’Homme Street
- Bourbon Street
- Corderie Street
Around 350 stands of 3m by 3m will be deployed at these locations, intended exclusively for operators based in Port-Louis. For non-residents, it will be first come first serve. Each street will retain passageways to maintain access for businesses wishing to extend their opening hours.
The Night Market Fair will operate from December 1 to December 31, 2025, from 6 PM to midnight. All stalls must be:
- set up and removed daily, occupying designated and numbered locations.
Operators will have to pay a daily fee of Rs 200 for a temporary license issued by the authorities.
The rules governing the activity stipulate that:
- only sales of strictly cooked food will be authorized;
- no domestic gas cylinders may be used at the locations;
- no individual electrical connections will be tolerated.
For public safety, enhanced lighting will be deployed by the municipality, with support from the CEB. Waste collection will be ensured every night between 2 AM and 4 AM by Maxi Clean Company Ltd.
This organization aims to channel the activities of street vendors into a controlled perimeter, preserve traffic in the city center, and maintain cleanliness during a period of increased foot traffic.