Vulnerable Vendors

For roadside local vendors doing seasonal business, air pollution is not just a health concern, it’s a threat to their livelihood. A local vendor Amit whose stall is located just beside the highway reports his business has declined compared to last year.

Most customers hesitate to stop at stalls exposed to heavy dust and pollution. This impact extends beyond profit loss and inconsistent flow of customers.

Many vendors like Amit spend working long hours outside, often in the scorching heat of summer, heat waves, and constant contact with heavy amounts of dust and pollution.

They report experiencing fatigue, exhaustion and sometimes poor immunity systems because of constant contact with heat and pollution. For vendors like Amit, relocating their business is often not a practical solution.

Their stall depends on roadside visibility and foot traffic which makes them the most vulnerable population exposed to extreme environmental conditions.

While daily commuters can leave these polluted areas, these vendors remain exposed for long hours on a daily basis. Here, the burden of polluted air is not shared equally and for many small business owners like Amit, it comes at the cost of both health and income.