Nagpur: Every once in a while, Nagpurians witness demolition of small shops, eateries and stalls of street vendors to widen the roads or to free the encroached property.
On Friday, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) vacated the vendors selling vegetables and fruits at Khamla market who have been doing their business at the same spot since the last 50 years. The NMC claims that it had to lay storm water drains on either side of the roads, hence the encroachment.
However, NMC has failed to provide the hawkers with an alternative space to carry out their business operations. Having no other option, the hawkers tend to return to the same place after being at par for two days. The vendors and small food stalls owners have been demanding a separate place for themselves where they can continue with their businesses without any disruptions by the local body authorities.
The main question is– Will NMC ever find a permanent solution to this problem?
NMC additional commissioner Ram Joshi told Nagpur Today that NMC is working towards a permanent solution for the issue. “The state government had called for a vendors committee meeting to find a permanent solution for the same and identify the legal aspects too. Nagpur’s vendor committee has been finalised by the state government and will be identifying places suitable for everyone,” he said.
“Previously, 100 locations were shortlisted but only 40 to 50 were finalised. We will be taking up objections from the residents and police as well so that problem doesn’t arise at a later stage,” the additional commissioner said.
The process will take another six months, as per Joshi.
