Barely 24 hrs after eviction, hawkers reclaim footpaths Hawkers in Nagpur have swiftly reoccupied footpaths just days after being evicted by authorities, highlighting persistent challenges in regulating street vending. The rapid return of vendors underscores the lack of a functional regulatory framework, which has left the issue unresolved for years. Despite efforts by officials to enforce rules against encroachment, the cycle of eviction and reoccupation continues. Proposals for designated hawker zones and organized marketplaces have been discussed but remain unimplemented. Many vendors resist relocation, citing economic hardship and the absence of viable alternatives. The situation has drawn attention after a recent push by Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari to clear footpaths of unauthorized stalls. However, the ground reality remains unchanged, with authorities struggling to enforce compliance. Local officials, including Nagpur Mayor Chandrakant Thakre and assistant commissioner (encroachment) Harish Raut, have not responded to queries from The Times of India, raising questions about transparency and accountability. The absence of a clear strategy to address the issue has allowed vendors to repeatedly reclaim spaces, complicating efforts to maintain pedestrian-friendly streets. The recurring nature of the problem reflects broader systemic failures in urban governance. While Gadkari’s initiative aims to prioritize public space, the lack of support from municipal authorities and the reluctance of vendors to comply have stalled progress. Without a sustainable solution, the cycle of eviction and reoccupation is likely to persist, leaving both residents and vendors in a state of limbo.#nagpur #nitin_gadkari #the_times_of_india #harish_raut #chandrakant_thakre
Can’t nudge squatters, NMC goes into a churn Nagpur: More than two weeks after Union minister and city MP Nitin Gadkari set a seven-day deadline to clear encroachments, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has responded with an internal reshuffle instead of visible enforcement, underscoring the widening gap between directives and action on the ground. In an April 10 order, the general administration department relieved assistant commissioner Harish Raut of the additional charge of the encroachment department, handing it to superintendent Sanjay Ganesh Kamble. Already part of the enforcement wing, Kamble will now handle encroachment control alongside existing duties, without additional pay. The timing has raised eyebrows. Gadkari’s March 29 directive demanded swift clearance of footpaths and public spaces. Yet, encroachments remain entrenched across key stretches, from residential pockets to commercial hubs. The reshuffle sidesteps a core issue repeatedly flagged within the civic body: the absence of a full-time officer dedicated to tackling encroachments. NMC insiders admit the dual-charge system has failed. Raut, who was also overseeing the Satranjipura zone, struggled to sustain action. The latest move merely transfers that burden without strengthening manpower or accountability. “Encroachment is not a part-time problem. Without a dedicated officer and team, drives will remain cosmetic,” said a senior official. Residents, however, say the ground reality has not changed. “Footpaths exist only on paper. We are forced to walk on roads every day,” said Anil Sharma, a resident of Dharampeth. “Drives happen for a day or two, then everything comes back,” added a shopkeeper from Sitabuldi Main Road, requesting anonymity.#nitin_gadkari #nagpur_municipal_corporation #sitabuldi_main_road #harish_raut #sanjay_ganesh_kamble
