The Times of India 06.11.2009
NMC sleeps as encroachments crop up everywhere
NAGPUR: With Nagpur Municipal Corporation adopting a casual approach, encroachments are the norm on roads in the city. Most shopkeepers occupy footpaths in front while vendors have taken over every other nook and corner in the city. Though NMC authorities have time and again promised drives to remove all encroachments from outside shops or otherwise from all city areas, so far nothing concrete had been seen.
NMC sources claim that all major roads have well demarcated pedestrian areas, however, they are of no use due to encroachments by vendors on the pavements. Encroachments also mean pedestrians are forced to walk on the busy roads, putting them at the risk of being knocked down by speeding vehicles.
"Though NMC's anti-encroachment squad is empowered to take action against any obstruction in public places like a footpath, the squad usually remains a mute spectator and rarely takes steps to clear encroachment, especially on Cotton Market Road," pointed out Mukesh Karmarkar, a resident.
The NMC's special drives too have failed to keep the city free of encroachments, with most encroachers returning to the same locations almost immediately, he pointed out. Interestingly, he said, in the Cotton Market area, even the squad's vehicles can be seen parked alongside encroachments on the footpath!
Other vehicle users say that the police have taken some action in the past, but nothing much comes of it since NMC keeps a stoic silence. They point out that many busy main roads were widened after clearing encroachments, but today they are as congested as ever.
Unfortunately, encroachments are the norm along entire stretches of market places, including Mahal, Itwari and Sadar, where either vendors or shop owners display goods.
Janmanch president Ashok Lanjewar says, "It is extremely difficult to walk on these roads. Haphazard parking on roadsides is a big cause, but encroachments by vendors and shop owners is the man cause. It creates a lot of inconvenience to senior citizens, children and shoppers." He said the corporation should take a firm stand against established shops that occupy the pavement space to display or sell products.
On the other hand, hawkers feel that they are treated as criminals by the police. "Sometimes, cases are registered against us for no reason. Hawking is in fact not a high earning job. Several shopkeepers are degree holders, and have taken to this as a livelihood only due to lack of opportunities," they add.
Lanjewar says that the only solution for this is proper infrastructure planning in keeping with the growth of the city. "The NMC should first see that the infrastructure is provided, and then grant permission for new layouts etc," he said.
