NMC crackdowns on encroachments, daily/weekly markets removed from major thoroughfares
| Date :03-Feb-2020 |
Staff Reporter :
Continuing its crackdown against illegal markets for second successive day, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) continued to remove encroachments on footpath and roads to ensure they are kept free from hurdles. Such was the fear of NMC anti-encroachment squad today that two markets that of Gokulpeth and at Jaffar Nagar did not assemble. Yesterday also, encroachments at nearly 40 markets that had sprung up by roadside were removed in simultaneous crackdown by NMC officials. Besides, temporary sheds over footpath were also removed during the drive at many places.
The Somwari Bazar that causes traffic jams in Sakkardara area too remained confined to prescribed open ground as officials warned of seizing material in case any hawker or seller was found keeping material on road. Meanwhile, irate hawkers gheraoed the Mangalwari Zone office to take back the seized material. The seized material was kept in campus of the Zonal office and taking advantage of closure due to Sunday the hawkers decamped with their belongings. Even perennially choking point that at Cotton Market were also bereft of hawkers today. This resulted in lesser congestion at busy thoroughfares and provided a sense of relief to vehicle users. However, at places like Gokulpeth market, those setting shops along the roads and footpaths were only asked to move in.
According to local residents, NMC squad just warned the encroachers of action if they did not move in the area marked for vendors. By Saturday evening, when the squad was gone, again, there was less chaos on road. NMC initiated action as per the directions of Tukaram Mundhe, Municipal Commissioner. Assistant Commissioners, Enforcement Department, Nuisance Detection Squads, Sanitation Department, Public Works Department, Market Department, and Assistant Superintendents of all zones were involved in the massive crackdown against encroachments in market areas. There are several daily/weekly markets in the city. Vegetable and fruit vendors have been given space there.
Still, many encroachers set up their shops on the road and on footpath, thereby causing inconvenience to the people and creating hurdles in smooth flow of traffic. During the ‘Walk and Talk With Mayor’ initiative of Sandeep Joshi, Mayor, many people complained about such encroachments. Taking a serious cognisance of this, Joshi had constituted a committee headed by Dayashankar Tiwari, senior corporator, to deal with the issue of encroachments. Later, some rules were framed.
Accordingly, Joshi called for removal of encroachments. Mundhe also took cognisance of the report and directed action against encroachments. Since Saturday morning, NMC began action. As per the NMC press release, action was taken against 2,500 vendors in 40 market areas. The action will continue on Sunday too.
The action was taken against vendors in Rana Pratap Nagar Square, Mate Chowk, Trimurti Nagar Square, Jaitala, Gopal Nagar, Gokulpeth Market, Ashirwad Nagar Chowk, Manewada, Uday Nagar Chowk, Cotton Market, Ramana Maroti, Mhalgi Nagar, Kamal Chowk, Kabir Nagar, Taj Nagar, Char Khambha Chowk, Gittikhadan, Gorewada, Itarsi Puliya, Mahal, Budhwara, Ayachit Mandir area, Matru Seva Sangh, Nataraj Talkies Square, Hiwri Nagar, Nikhalas Mandir area, Hariganga Building, Amardeep Talkies, Bagdiya Square, Teen Nal Chowk, Marwadi Chowk, Jagnath Budhwari, Zade Chowk, H B Town, Bhandara Road, Pardi, Jaripatka, Chhaoni, Katol Road, Mankapur, Bharat Chowk etc. At some places, however, the vendors encroaching upon roads and footpaths resisted the encroachment removal drive.
They even gheraoed NMC squad. The incidents took place in Shaniwari Bazar in Gandhibagh Zone, and Uday Nagar in Hanuman Nagar Zone. Later, the vendors sought time of two days for shifting their shops. Accordingly, NMC suspended the action and said that the action would be taken after two days. On Sunday, action was initiated in areas of Khamla Mutton Market, Shami Layout, Orange Street and vegetable markets adjoining, Ring Road, Shatabdi Square (Beltarodi Square), Cotton Market Octroi Post no. 13, Trisharan Square, Manish Nagar T-point railway crossing, Santra Market, Natraj Talkies, Azamshah Square, Satranjipura Square, Badkas Square, Panchpaoli, Jagnath Budhwari, Zade Square, Kabir Nagar, Pili River, Kamptee Road, Gol Bazar, Mangalwari Bazar, and market near Mangalwari Zone office.