Chandigarh: More staff deputed, yet encroachers in Sector 19, 22 markets undeterred

Sandeep Rana

Chandigarh, July 23

Even 10 enforcement wing’s inspectors/sub-inspectors have failed to curb the widespread encroachment in city’s busy Sectors 19 and 22 markets.

Generally, one inspector/SI is posted in both markets, but it was for the first time that eight more SIs were asked to work in two-hour shifts each for strict implementation and transparency on July 18.

However, a visit to the markets by Chandigarh Tribune showed a large number of encroachments by vendors as well as shopkeepers. Not just market corridors and pavements, even parking lots and roadside space have not been spared, causing huge inconvenience to visitors and posing a major challenge to law and order and fire safety issues in the market.

Interestingly, major encroachments come up after 7 pm when the working hours of the enforcement wing officials end. There is no check on encroachments after 7 pm, leading to chaos in the markets. Spaces have been given to registered vendors, but unregistered ones occupy unauthorised spaces.

Resident welfare and market welfare associations’ members suggested that MC’s enforcement staff should work in shifts till 10 pm to ensure that there was no encroachment even after 7 pm.

“Some officials concerned may be involved, so encroachers do not get removed from here,” said a member of a Sector 22 MWA preferring anonymity. A spokesperson of Sector 19 RWA added, “Officers come and go, but the encroachment stays as huge money is involved in this trade. Illegal unknown vendors are even taking power connection from MC’s streetlight poles.”

However, DP Singh, inspector, enforcement wing, said, “After more staff was deployed, 90 per cent encroachments have been removed from markets. We are planning to have this duty roaster in other sectors also as it helps maintain transparency. However, as far as encroachments after 7 pm are concerned, we have written to the UT SSP to depute police force after 7 pm.”

No regard for HC directions

In 2019, the Punjab and Haryana High Court had directed the UT Administration and the MC to ensure that there were no illegal vendor in Sector 22.

Following court’s order, the then UT Deputy Commissioner, Mandeep Singh Brar, along with the then SSP Nilambari Jagdale and Special Commissioner of MC Sanjay Jha, had visited the market, but the situation is back to square one. Similarly, the HC had declared Sector 17 as no-vending zone, but a huge number of vendors operate from there also in the evening.