News: Illegal vends: DLF, Sushant Lok markets on DTCP radar-25-06-2021

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/gurgaon/illegal-vends-dlf-sushant-lok-markets-on-dtcp-radar/articleshowprint/83825008.cms

Gurgaon: The department of town and country planning (DTCP) is all set to begin a review of markets within licenced colonies in the city after a spike in number of complaints on encroachment.
According to officials, DTCP teams will start visiting markets with high footfall, including Vyapar Kendra, Qutub Plaza, Central Arcade and other markets in DLF-1 and 2, Sushant Lok-1 and 2, Suncity and Nirvana Country, from Saturday. Violators will be challaned and the shops will be sealed in case the shopkeepers have been warned in the past, they said.
In January this year, the department had launched an anti-encroachment drive in these markets and removed makeshift vends and encroachments. Shopkeepers had been warned to ensure that common areas, including staircases and corridors, are clear of encroachments.

District town planner (enforcement) RS Batth said they are again getting complaints from residents and shoppers about encroachment in these markets. “It is not only making traffic movement difficult, but has also raised safety concerns in case of a mishap, like fire,” he said.

Batth added that apart from shops extending their premises and putting up display boards, the corridors of these markets have been encroached upon by temporary vends selling clothes, snacks, mobile phone accessories and other items, which leaves little space for movement. Service roads, too, are choked with unauthorised shops and haphazardly-parked vehicles, the DTP said.

According to sources, teams of the enforcement wing have already conducted a survey of a few markets and videographed encroachments.

Nitin Malviya, a Sushant Lok resident, said illegal vendors and stalls have eaten into the walkways of these markets. “Even fire department officials had raised concerns because of the encroachment, but the situation remains unchanged,” he said.

Over the past few years, the fire department has repeatedly raised concerns over the safe exit of shoppers in case of a blaze.