While the 13-member Special Task Force (STF) is continuing with the encroachment drive, street vendors and hawkers claim they are being "harassed" and now their livelihoods are at stake.
Over a thousand vendors have been removed since the drive started on April 26 and their belongings are being seized so that they don't return to the spot. During the initial days of the drive, most vendors returned to their spots after being removed. After this, the civic body started taking action against repeat offenders.
"I used to run a juice kiosk for 12 years. Suddenly the committee people came and confiscated all my stuff. I went to the warehouse to get my belongings freed, but it has been a week now and nothing has been returned to me. I have a family to feed and I have run out of money. I don't know what to do," said Shiv Kumar, 34, a juice vendor in Lajpat Nagar.
Even traders in Khan Market are anxious after the Supreme Court-mandated Monitoring Committee filed a report in the court on May 7 stating there are "unauthorised constructions" in the market.
The traders association has since been trying to meet the chairman of New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) — the civic body catering to Lutyen's Delhi — who is also a member of the STF.
"We had sought time with the chairman but he was not available. We are expecting an audience with him on Saturday to discuss the rules as there is no encroachment on the passages before our shops or structures obstructing passages. We need to understand the court order," said Rajan Bhatia, a member of the traders' association.
The representatives of the association said since the market came into existence, this is the only place where shop-owners have not extended floor area ratio (FAR), which is a norm in other markets across the city.
"I have been in this market for over 20 years and have not seen anyone extending the area of their shops beyond what was allotted to them. As many as 16 establishments housed on first and second floors were sealed in the market this January. However, the committee did not raise any issue of encroachment or unauthorised constructions at that time," said Atul Bagga, another trader.
The Traders' associations of Connaught Place, too, said that on the directions of the monitoring committee, the NDMC has sealed basements and several upper floors for not paying conversion charges, however, there has been no "clarity" on the charges for years.
"Many years ago Connaught Place was declared a business-cum-shopping centre, then why do shop-owners need to pay conversion charges. And even if they were required to, the concerned authority did not issue a notice mentioning the amount to be paid for the same. Before sealing, they must at least given a 15-days notice to owners so that they can pay the charges, in case, required," said Sanjay Singh, who runs an accessories store in the upmarket shopping district.
The STF, which was created on directions of the Supreme Court, is now officially working under the SC-mandated Monitoring Committee tasked with sealing premises not in conformity with the Delhi Master Plan -2021.
A LITTLE INSIGHT
- Over a thousand vendors have been removed since the drive started on April 26 and their belongings are being seized so that they don’t return to the spot
- The traders association has been trying to meet the chairman of New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) — the civic body catering to Lutyen’s Delhi — who is also a member of the STF
VOICES
MCD people have been visiting the area for the last three days. My shop was on the footpath and it got removed on Sunday. It might be a good step to clear public spaces, but being a small vendor I can't afford to acquire permission and set up a new shop somewhere else.
—Vishal Pall, owner of a tyre repair shop on the footpath
Our shop has valid permission from the MCD, but we had a small parapet built outside the shop which the MCD people broke down two days ago. We have been asked to restrict the business strictly inside the shop.
—Rahul, a worker in a tandoor shop situated on the footpath
Previously I had been staying like this in a nearby area, but around a one-and-a-half year back, some policemen came and asked me to move here. I have a wife and a very young son. If the MCD people come here to remove me, I don't know what to do.
—Bablu Bind, a squatter on the footpath
My shop has due permission and therefore I have been spared by the MCD. But many of my fellow shop owners in this area have been removed.
—Sahib Ali, scrap dealer on the footpath
MCD people came here around 2 pm on Sunday and cleared the line of cars parked on the roadside. But this kind of a measure only affects our businesses and I don't think this will solve any problem. People will come here and park their cars again by bribing the police or otherwise.
—Surinder, chemist
Some people from the MCD and DDA came here on Friday accompanied by some policemen. A night earlier some of them had assured us that only those constructions would be brought down which fell outside the walls of the colony. But when they came, they also targeted the walls and certain houses located inside the walls with bulldozers
—Shashi Bala, resident
Many people have fled from here out of fear since the demolition of Friday. Those who have stayed back have no option but to sleep outside their broken houses.
—Rajinder Paswan, resident
I have seven people in my family including three of my grandchildren. Ever since the demolition of my house, we have been sleeping outside under makeshift tents.
—Ram Lal Shah, resident
FALLING IN LINE?
1,000 Street vendors removed during the anti-encroachment drive
2,000 Vehicles towed away since April 26 because illegal parking
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