The Times of India             26.06.2013

NMC, cops clear veggie, fruit vendors in Sadar

NAGPUR: The anti-encroachment squad of Nagpur Municipal Corporation and traffic police removed at least 30 vendors selling fruits and vegetables in Sadar on Monday, especially in front of the official bungalow of superintendent of police (anti-corruption bureau) NishitMishra.

The move was welcomed by traffic activists. But, at the same time, both the government agencies turned a blind eye to similar encroachments at Pande Layout in Khamla. Here, Pande Layout residents had complained that state minister Rajendra Mulak has encroached upon a huge portion of footpath in front of his house to store construction material. The sand and black metal has also spread onto a small portion of the road.

The security guard deployed there refused to speak, and directed this correspondent to approach NMC's Laxmi Nagar office.

Laxmi Nagar zone chairman Gopal Bohare said he would direct the concerned zone official to remove the constructional material lying in front of the minister's house. A senior NMC official too assured appropriate action against Mulak.

Later in the evening, Mulak assured TOI that he would get the said encroachment removed.

A Pande Layout resident Ramesh Punyani (name changed) said, "The misuse of footpaths to store building material leaves no space for pedestrians to walk."

"Though NMC has started removing encroachments, little is being done to prevent construction material eating into footpaths and roads," said other residents.

Many retail traders of construction material and individuals have their storage area on footpaths and roads. Sand and stones are also stored on pavements and narrow roads whenever there is construction activity.

Despite having provisions to deal with it, NMC has almost never levied fine for dumping construction debris on roads or footpaths. "The corporation must take action against people who use the road to store sand or stones for construction. This too is a form of encroachment," Punyani said.

"There have been accidents because of this, and given the encroachment on footpaths, pedestrians are at the receiving end," said traffic activist and high court lawyer Tushar Mandlekar.

The extension of shops and commercial establishments and parking of vehicles on footpaths force pedestrians to walk on the roads, making them vulnerable. "Like roads are for motorists, footpaths are meant for pedestrians," said Mandlekar.

On Tuesday, the Dhantoli zone's health department penalized a builder for stocking sand on Canal Road, Ramdaspeth, by imposing a Rs 5,000 fine. The action was taken after a two-wheeler rider skidded and lodged a complaint with the municipal commissioner.