Bhopal: Bhopal Municipal Corporation continues to turn a blind eye to encroachment menace. Haats and hawkers’ corners are mushrooming at every available space in the city. For the last several years, the land opposite post office, near press complex, has been illegally occupied by vegetable vendors. Dozens of illegal stalls have come up at the spot which are nuisance for passers by.
The corporation is oblivious of the development. Vegetable sellers and hand carts are a daily routine. As the encroached area is located near press complex and other government buildings around it is a cause of concern. Such illegal practice is not confined to markets alone. Several hawkers’ corners too have been encroached.
The hawker’s corners were initially developed to provide space to vendors in a particular area. Vendors were to be allotted space on day to day basis. Contrary to corporation’s decision not to allot permanent space, several permanent stalls have come up in these areas.
There is another side to the entire issue. The Hawkers’ Corner near Nutan College, which was earmarked only for women market, is currently lying idle. Reason: Corporation is yet to find time to get it inaugurated. Contacted, local corporator Yogendra Singh Chouhan said, “We are also trying to get shops allocated to vendors. Not a single shop has been allotted so far.”
The corner near Nutan College has fallen prey to tussle between local leaders. Every leader wants a shop for aide. This has delayed the inauguration, he added.