The Times of India             27.08.2013

Ganesh idol stalls outside civil hospital to be shifted

NASHIK: Mayor YatinWagh on Monday directed the anti-encroachment department of the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) to remove Ganesh idol stalls set up outside the civil hospital on the Trimbak Road.

Wagh asked deputy commissioner (encroachment) R M Bahiram why the 'galas' (shopping units) were allowed to be set up in the area which falls in the silent zone. Bahiram told TOI that the 'galas' do not have the permission and so they will be removed immediately.

The temporary stalls will now be shifted to the Gold Club ground.

Meanwhile, acting on the directives of the city police, the NMC deployed the anti-encroachment team on Monday to remove the stalls. However, stall owners refused to move demanding that they should have been given prior intimation.

DCP Nandkumar Chaughule said, "There was no reason to allow the Ganesh stall owners to operate in the area because it is a silent zone. Besides, some 1,200 state transport buses pass through the road every day. Allowing the stalls to operate here simply means adding to the traffic congestion, which will cause inconvenience to the patients."

The stalls have been put up on either side of the Trimbak Road, which leaves little space for vehicles on 'Ganesh Chaturthi'. Last year too, the police had objected to setting up of stalls here, but finally allowed them to operate for a day.

Earlier, Ganapati idol stalls used to be put up near Nehru Garden behind Shalimar. However, they hampered movement of vehicles from Shalimar to MG Road and Raviwar Karanja. This stretch of road not only leads to the busy market area of Raviwar Karanja, but also has several schools, Parshuram Saikhedkar auditorium and other important offices on the way.

Taking these impediments into account, it was decided to provide place for Ganapati stalls on Trimbak Road opposite Civil Hospital.