Encroachment menace has returned at one of the biggest commercial hubs Sakchi. Though administration and police had launched a sustained drive five months before to free the market of illegal vendors and unauthorized extensions by shopkeepers but the situation is again becoming troublesome.
According to information, a large number of vendors who were removed are gain selling their products in makeshift stalls near Sakchi roundabout, Straight Mile Road stretch between Ramlila Ground and Sakchi roundabout, Thakurbari Road and also near Basant Cinema stretch.
This apart, shopkeepers and establishments in the Sakchi market at large stretches on Straight Mile Road, Thakurbari Road, have set up extensions displaying their products in an unauthorized manner encroaching the roads and pavements.
Commuters and visitors blamed lack of coordination between Jusco, JNAC and the administration which has led to encroachment menace returning to haunt visitors.
“We have been receiving several complaints that the marketplace in Sakchi had begun to returning to its previous condition. But we have to keep it free from encroachment at any cost. Therefore we are inspecting the market and also warning the foot-vendors not to try to do business on the foot-path once again,” said SDO Suraj Kumar.
The SDO said the administration will take stern action if any of the foot-path vendors is found doing business on the roads inside the market. He also instructed the Sakchi police to remain vigilant at the market against any encroachment.
He said that they have been receiving complains that the vendors had have restarted selling their products on footpaths while shopkeepers and retail establishments put up extensions on drains and lanes at commercial hubs even after eviction drive by administration at Sakchi and Bistupur market the shopkeepers are flouting the guidelines.
Taking lesson from the past incidents the district administration is likely to constitute a team of the administrative and police officials who will make surprise visit to the market to get hold of the shops.
A Jusco, a civic amenities providing company said that they are coordinating with the administration for making parking bays. “We have carried inspection for construction of parking bays and work has already begun in several parts. We will be extending our cooperation to the administration in utilizing areas freed of encroachment,” he said.
Sakchi police station officer-in-charge, Anjani Kumar said that they do carry out drives to remove vendors and also penalize those found indulging in illegal parking.