TRICHY: The Trichy corporation conducted eviction drives in two busy areas in the city to remove encroachments made by shops. However, a group of traders from one of the areas shut their shops condemning the drive till afternoon here on Monday. Such eviction drives are typical whenever a new commissioner for the corporation takes charge. After the hype dies down, the situation comes back to normal.

The eviction drive commenced in Central bus stand and Gandhi market areas at around 8.30 am. Anticipating protest from traders, a large posse of policemen were deployed in the areas. Two teams of corporation employees led by assistant commissioners TN Dhanabalan (Golden Rock zone) and Rajammal (Ariyamangalam zone) conducted the drive in central bus stand and Gandhi market areas respectively.

According to the corporation, as many as 50 shops owned by Trichy corporation in central bus stand have been rented out to private parties to run eateries, book stalls and tea shops among others. As per rules, the shops should function within the prescribed area. On the contrary, as many as 29 shops in central bus stand violated rules by extending their shops to the pavement. The violation caused obstruction to the movement of pedestrians. So, the corporation officials evicted the encroachments. Frustrated by the move, the shops in central bus stand shut down claiming they were free to use the areas not meant for pedestrians. Later, they met corporation commissioner VP Thandapani and explained to him their situation.

Likewise, another team conducted an eviction drive in Gandhi market area where they removed encroachments by 25 shops. These shops also encroached upon the road causing disturbance to all. Unlike the traders' protest in central bus stand, the eviction drive went off peacefully in Gandhi market.

Condemning the eviction drive, general secretary of the Tamil Nadu Traders Federation, Ve Govindarajalu told TOI, "Whenever a new commissioner assumes office, such eviction drives are conducted. We run the shops according to rules in central bus stand. The pavement way is away from our shops and we have not encroach upon it. But corporation officials go soft on unauthorised shops mushrooming in and around the central bus stand. We demand the commissioner return back our things.