Guwahati: The city has been witnessing a fresh wave of economic activities following the opening of the ‘Sati Radhika Shanti Udyan’, with cafe owners and small businesses reporting a noticeable surge in sales.The revamped Brahmaputra riverfront, which offers a serene view of the river along with improved public infrastructure, has quickly transformed the Uzan Bazar area as one of the city’s most popular leisure destinations, drawing visitors from across Assam and neighbouring districts.According to shop owners operating along the riverfront, footfall has significantly increased, particularly during off days and weekends. Families, groups of youngsters or tourists are spending a great amount of their time at the riverfront, and that translates into a higher demand for food, and beverages.“The sales have definitely increased after the riverfront park opened. The footfall touches its peak during the evening hours as many come here to relax after their office hours,” said Sreenath Sarma, a cafe employee.“The crowd response has been overwhelming. Earlier business would slow down by evening hours. But now the cafes stay lively till late at night. No doubt it has led to a hectic schedule and longer working hours but it has also improved earnings and tips due to the steady flow of customers,” said Aman Kumar, another cafe employee.However, the boom has also intensified competition among the sellers operating in close proximity. With several new outlets opening in quick succession, they say attracting and retaining customers has become very challenging. “The business is good, but so is the intensity of competition. Customers have many options, so quality, pricing and luck matter more than ever,” said a restaurant owner.Smaller vendors, in particular, face pressure from larger cafes and branded outlets offering a wider menu and seating facilities. Some street vendors said they are forced to k
