New Delhi, Aug. 30 -- A day after a dispute between shopkeepers and street vendors, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) carried out an anti-encroachment drive in the Teliwara area of Sadar Bazaar, targeting unauthorised structures and roadside obstructions in the busy commercial hub.
The drive was conducted by the Maintenance and Licensing Department of the MCD's City-Sadar Paharganj Zone, with a heavy police presence. MCD teams used bulldozers to remove tin sheds, kiosks and other unauthorised constructions outside around 15-20 shops in the area, including along Kutub Road.
The action followed an altercation involving street vendors and traders, including Pratap Market local shopkeepers. In protest, traders had shut Pratap Market for several hours. The Federation of Sadar Bazaar Traders Association (FESTA) subsequently sought intervention from senior police and civic officials.
Mixed response
While some traders welcomed the removal of the structures, several shopkeepers expressed dissatisfaction with the manner of the operation. They alleged that the drive was conducted without prior information and claimed that some shop shutters were damaged during the removal process.
Traders also raised allegations of civic officials taking "commissions" from street vendors, though these claims could not be independently verified. Also some vendors politely asked CM Rekha Gupta and agreeing to their mistakes that yes we agree on the encroachment part but give us prior notice. MCD said it was taking stringent action against encroachments across Delhi. Traders said sustained enforcement was needed to address congestion.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.