JEDDAH, 29 February 2008 — Pedestrian bridges around Jeddah have turned into bazaars operated by illegal residents who have found refuge on top of them from the municipality’s field monitors.
One of the best-known bridge bazaars is the one crossing Madinah Road from Al-Sholah to Al-Musa’adiah shopping center. In the evening, the location lights up to shine on myriad products.
“I’ve been in this location for more than three years,” said Ahmad Abid, a Yemeni vendor in his 40s.
Abid and the rest of the vendors have been operating in safety for years in the same location.
These bridges, with their covered walkways offer prime locations for vendors, especially considering the municipal crackdown. These mini-bazaars come out at night, not just to escape the daytime heat but also to escape the eyes of the authorities.
A few vendors brave the daytime hours, often situated at the halfway point of the bridge in order to secure the fastest escape route to either side of the bridge should the police show up.
Some bridges offer different bazaar fare. The bridge over Makkah Road close to Al-Thagr School serves food and drinks to hungry and thirsty students. The vendors used to be situated near the school grounds, but a recent crackdown sent them for shelter at the bridge where students traverse anyway.
“The bridge provides a perfect shelter for those vendors,” said Saleh Al-Hayani, a high school student at Al-Thagr who regularly buys food and drink from the vendors. “Previously, the school management used to call the municipality to arrest those vendors, but now they don’t even know they are still there.”
Ahmad Al-Ghamdi, Jeddah Municipality spokesperson, said that an organized raid against restaurants, slaughterhouses, shops and illegal stalls is currently ongoing around Jeddah. Last month, he said, the municipality pulled down more than 82 illegal stalls and seized four mobile stores illegally selling sweets and drinks. “The field monitoring plan would continue year round all over the city to ensure a better and cleaner place,” he said.
Considering the money that can be made, it’s likely the street vendors will persist year round, too.
