Gurugram cracks down on Sadar Bazaar encroachments

Intensifying its crackdown on encroachments, the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) yesterday conducted the first-ever joint anti-encroachment drive with the Gurugram Municipal Corporation (MC) at Sadar Bazaar — one of the oldest and most pivotal markets of the city.

The Enforcement Wing of the GMDA led the crackdown against illegal and unauthorised structures to clear the heavily encroached upon market.

The drive was undertaken in line with the directions issued by the Gurugram MLA. The Gurugram DTP Enforcement and the MC were also directed to exercise joint drives in all the important bazaars of the city.

“Some of the key issues were encroachment by rehris and vendors, shopkeepers illegally extending their shops, and unauthorised stalls on roads and footpaths. These raised safety and security concerns, especially for women and children. These encroachments could also hamper the movement of ambulances and fire brigades to and within the bazaar in case of emergencies,” said GMDA DTP RS Baath.

The GMDA Enforcement Wing and MC officials led the drive and identified illegal rehris at various locations in the market. Many rehris and illegal temporary structures were demolished with the help of JCB machines.

Shopkeepers encroaching upon the area in front of their shops were requested not to do so.

It was also found that street cart vendors would pay rent to shopkeepers amounting to lakhs per month, and were strictly warned against indulging in such acts.

Several passers-by appreciated the initiative taken up by the authorities.

“We will keep continuing and monitoring such drives in this pivotal bazaar of the city to avert any incident of disaster or inconvenience. We request all citizens to cooperate with us to make Sadar Bazaar a landmark location of our city,” Batth added.