Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Tensions over commercial activities in residential areas escalated in Bhopal on Saturday as traders in Awadhpuri shut their shops and protested against Bhopal Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) sealing drive, while residents of Arera Colony and Gulmohar staged a torchlight march demanding stricter enforcement of Supreme Court directions.
Awadhpuri traders gathered at 11.30 am and kept the market closed. Carrying placards and banners, they protested against the notices and proposed sealing action, arguing that the timing ahead of major festivals would severely affect their businesses. Women traders and children also joined the protest.
Meanwhile, residents and petitioner Vivek Tripathi alleged that the civic body was restricting action to notices and surveys despite the Supreme Court’s directions on illegal construction and commercial activities in residential areas.
Residents claimed that several properties reportedly sealed or closed on August 1 were now displaying “To-Let” boards, raising concerns over the resumption of commercial activity.
Residents’ associations cited growing traffic, parking problems, noise pollution caused by commercial establishments operating from residential plots.
They said their objection was against illegal commercialisation, not individual traders.
Under the United Residents Struggle Committee, residents took out a torchlight march from Seva Market in Gulmohar through Trilanga, ending near the former Makhanlal Chaturvedi University campus.
With more than 7,500 notices reportedly issued across Bhopal, the BMC is set to intensify action from Monday.
