Economic Empowerment of Vegetable Street Vendors in Hyderabad: Challenges, Gendered Exclusions, and Policy Gaps

Street vending provides critical livelihoods and affordable food in Indian cities yet remains marginal in law and planning. This paper examines the economic empowerment of vegetable street vendors in Hyderabad through a mixed methods study of 200 respondents supported by interviews and focus group discussions. Findings reveal that vendors occupy a paradoxical position: indispensable to food provisioning but lacking legal recognition, infrastructural support, and financial inclusion. Logistic regression confirms that vending ID cards and membership in Self Help Groups (SHGs) significantly predict loan access under PM SVANidhi. Gender disparities persist—women vendors earn less, work fewer hours, and face digital and mobility constraints. Drawing on capability, empowerment, livelihoods, and social exclusion frameworks, the analysis highlights the need for systemic reforms: universalisation of ID cards, functional Town Vending Committees, gender sensitive facilities, and expanded digital and financial inclusion.