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.