Why is the state blind to the needs of a small but significant community of street vendors? Why is there a delay in implementing the provisions of Street Vendors Act? What does it take to conduct surveys, identify street vendors, issue ID cards, form Town Vending Committees, allot vending zones and make the city vibrant for these self-sustaining low-carbon-emitting livelihoods? Bhargavi S. Rao brings context to these questions.