New Delhi: New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has stepped up its enforcement drive against encroachments and unauthorised vending in Connaught Place, Janpath, Palika Bazar and other areas, directing its field teams to maintain vigil and ensure that vendors do not operate beyond the permissible time of 6.30 pm.The directions were issued following criticism by Connaught Place traders on social media, who alleged that the area had returned to the same situation after the Brics Summit, with no adequate measures to prevent encroachments and unauthorised vending, particularly in designated no-vending zones.“The issue was discussed in a review meeting held by the enforcement-north department on Sept 14, in which the director (enforcement-north), joint director and area inspectors discussed measures to prevent encroachments and unauthorised vending, particularly in no-vending zones, after which the order was issued on Sept 15,” said an official.Officials added that vigilance will be maintained at Connaught Place, Janpath, Palika Bazar, Regal, Revoli, Hanuman Mandir and Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, with strict verification of vendors in these areas.“While anti-encroachment drives in all designated no-vending zones will be conducted ‘strictly and continuously’, intensive inspections and special enforcement drives will be carried particularly Tuesdays and Saturdays around Hanuman Mandir. Only authorised vendors operating within their allotted spaces and permissible timings will be allowed to continue,” an official said.Experts, however, questioned the relevance of this order when several places in NDMC, including CP, Janpath, etc., are declared as “no-vending zones”.“Delhi High Court had already declared many areas as no-vending zones and if still vendors are putting up stalls here that means there is negligence or connivance. Also, when the survey of the street vendors have been completed why is the agency taking time in defining vending zones. They are either confused on this issue or they don’t want a solution,” said Arbind Singh, national coordinator of National Association of Street Vendors of India (NASVI).Traders have welcomed the move. Atul Bhargava of New Delhi Traders Association said that finally changes are visible on the ground. “We hope this lasts forever. Also, there is a need to find alternative vending sites for 83 approved tehbazaris, some of which had immunity from the court also,” he said.Area inspectors have been asked to identify vulnerable locations and undertake regular field inspections.“While NDMC chairman has reiterated a zero-tolerance approach towards encroachment and unauthorised vending, the order warned that any violations could lead to cancellation or suspension of vending certificates. Responsibility has also been fixed on enforcement officials. Negligence, inaction or repeated failure by area inspectors to prevent or report violations will invite strict action,” according to the order.The order lays down other conditions for vendors under which they cannot extend stalls, carts or merchandise beyond their allotted areas and are required to keep walkways clear in front of vending counters and stalls.Alongside the enforcement measures, NDMC has directed the digitisation of records relating to seized goods to improve preservation, retrieval, transparency and accountability.
