#Lajpat Nagar traders move #NGT against encroachments
New Delhi, Mar 16 (PTI) A traders association has moved the National Green Tribunal seeking directions for removal of encroachments by street vendors from roads in Lajpat Nagar Central Market prompting the panel to seek response from South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) on the issue.
The petition by Traders Association of Lajpat Nagar alleged that “illegal” hawkers and trolleys were blocking traffic which was resulting in vehicular pollution.
A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar issued notices to SDMC and the SHO of Lajpat Nagar police station seeking their reply within two weeks on
The plea said, “In complete disregard to various orders passed by the Tribunal and the Supreme Court, many hawkers were vending from stalls on the metalled road thereby jeopardising free flow of vehicles and creating congestion resulting in vehicular pollution.
“In this respect the applicant has made several representations to South Delhi Municipal Corporation and the SHO of Lajpat Nagar police station pursuant to which SDMC conducted encroachment removal action…but still many of them have again put stalls on the metalled roads, from where they were removed.”
The association has further alleged that despite repeated representations the police was not taking any action against such encroachments.
It sought penal action against Lajpat Nagar SHO for “deliberately” not taking action.
“Pass direction for removal of all hawkers/trolleys from metalled road in Lajpat Nagar Central Market so as to prevent undue emissions from vehicles and to improve ambient air quality in Lajpat Nagar Central Market,” the plea said.
In a bid to avoid congestion and ease flow of traffic, the Tribunal had last year directed street vendors and cycle rickshaws to go off the streets in Lajpat Nagar market here.
“No hawkers or any other trolleys would be permitted to be parked or stationed on the metalled roads. There shall not be parking of cars across the road in more than one lane on either side of the road,” the bench had said.
