IMPACT OF ANTI-ENCROACHMENT DRIVE: SHOPKEEPERS VOLUNTARILY REMOVING THEIR SHOPS IN SHAHPUR

IMPACT OF ANTI-ENCROACHMENT DRIVE: SHOPKEEPERS VOLUNTARILY REMOVING THEIR SHOPS IN SHAHPUR

30-NOV-ENG 6

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA------------------------The ever-growing population of Shahpur Nagar Panchayat, increasing commercial pressure, and the city's horizontal expansion have made the need for vending zones even more crucial.

The city administration has given shopkeepers 24 hours to remove encroachments from roadsides in Shahpur before launching the drive. The campaign has been adequately publicized through microphones. The impact of this drive is now visible, with many shopkeepers voluntarily removing their shops. While this step is necessary to facilitate traffic flow, it is also creating a serious problem for retail shopkeepers whose livelihoods depend entirely on these roadside shops. They say that the removal of their shops will make it extremely difficult to support their families.

The chronic lack of vending zones in Shahpur Nagar Panchayat has now become a serious administrative challenge. In particular, the major roads from Shahpur NH-84, Thana Mod Road, and Durga Mata Mandir Chowk to Karnamepur are constantly encroached upon, resulting in traffic disruptions and severely impacting the city's daily activities.

The most concerning situation is National Highway 84 (NH-84), considered the city's lifeline. From Badi Mathiya to Central Bank, this vital road is permanently encroached upon by street vendors, vegetable and fruit vendors, and hawkers. This narrowing of the road leads to severe traffic jams throughout the day. Pedestrians often find themselves without even ample space to walk, while motorists face extreme inconvenience, stuck in traffic jams for hours. Local residents allege that despite repeated complaints, the Nagar Panchayat and local administration have not implemented any permanent measures. From time to time, only formal campaigns are conducted to clear the roads, but the situation returns to normal within a few hours, preventing any long-term solution to the problem.

Similarly, on the road from Shahpur Thana crossing to Banahi Station, unplanned roadside shops and hotels near the old hospital further obstruct traffic. During the morning and evening rush hours, crowds of shoppers spill onto the road, exacerbating traffic congestion. Local residents report that a large number of people pass through this route daily to reach schools, hospitals, blocks, zonal police stations, and other important government offices. Due to the crowded and chaotic auto stands, even emergency vehicles are often unable to move and reach their destinations on time.

The ever-growing population of Shahpur Nagar Panchayat, increasing commercial pressure, and the city's horizontal expansion have made the need for vending zones even more critical. Several other municipal areas in the district have successfully developed organized vending zones to control roadside encroachment, providing designated spaces for licensed hawkers. Unfortunately, no concrete initiatives have been taken in this direction in Shahpur Nagar Panchayat. This not only increases the risk of road accidents but also negatively impacts the city's economic activities.

Local citizens and merchants have strongly urged the former Deputy Chief Councilor of the Nagar Panchayat, Gupteshwar Shah (whose wife is currently the Deputy Chief Councilor), to develop a planned vending zone as soon as possible. They argue that the creation of a well-planned vending zone will not only alleviate traffic congestion but also provide street vendors with a systematic and safe space, safeguarding their livelihoods.

Despite more than two to three decades having passed since the establishment of the municipality, not a single proper vending zone has been developed. This is a clear example of administrative apathy, the consequences of which the common people of Shahpur suffer daily. Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Councilor Jhuniya Devi stated that it is imperative to take immediate and effective steps to address this serious problem. The issue of a planned vending zone will be discussed with the Executive Officer.