As the festive season approaches hawkers have begun occupying a major part of the roads at Maharaja Bada, city’s main market, creating huge traffic jams.
With Diwali fast approaching the commuters and pedestrians will have to battle the congestion in the main market of the city as there are no checks on the illegal vendors. According to reliable sources the hawkers pay huge amounts to the police and the corporation squad posted at Bada so that their illegal business can continue without any legal hassle. It is learnt that around 400 hawkers at Maharaja Bada pay over Rs 40000 to the police and the corporation squad every day.
The hawkers and street vendors are seen selling bangles, decorative items, dress materials and various other items on the main roads at Bada, covering almost 4 meters of the width of the road space. The vehicles and rickshaws that cover almost half the road at many points make matters worse for the pedestrians.
The situation also increases the travel time of the commuters substantially. The hawkers are also seen occupying connecting roads and bye-lanes obstructing the flow of traffic.
According to a directive by the Central Government, all municipal corporations should ensure free flow of traffic even while implementing policies that will protect the livelihood and social security of the hawkers.
Speaking to the media persons, Devendra Singh Kushwah, the CSP of the area gave the shortage of enough policemen as reasonfor not deploying enough force at Bada. He added that measures will soon be put into force to clear the traffic at Bada.
Devendra Yadav, RI, Police Lines said that there is an additional force of 150 policemen at the Police Lines, but there has been no demand for them.