MCD to demolish several shops in the area for widening of roads
MCD to demolish several shops in the area for widening of roads
Just a few days to go for Diwali, but the spark is missing at Sadar Bazar. That's because the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has decided to bulldoze several structures at the marketplace, one of India's largest.
At a meeting recently, the civic agency asked traders to provide documents related to the ownership of their respective shops. The MCD's focus is on illegal construction.u00a0 Now, shop owners are worried as they have been asked to show documents which are hard to find. "We are doing business for the past 50-60 years. Such a decision will ruin our business. We are paying all our taxes for the past several years; they should understand our problem too," said Prakash Mahendru, President, Pratap Market Traders' Association.
As per MCD, roads in the area will be widened by the end of November. All the traders have been asked to submit the documents by the 10th of next month. Naturally, instead of getting excited about the upcoming festival, traders are worried about the losses they are going to suffer.
"Diwali is a boom time for us. Our business grows several times every year during this period. But this time it's hard for us to think about profit. All we can think of is how to save our shops," added Prakash.
Traders are also complaining that the decision has been taken without taking them into confidence. "They did not think about us. Before taking such a decision, they should have at least asked us. They have just forced their view upon us. They are following the map of the year 1910. After 100 years, how can one follow the same map?" asked Raj Kuma Sapra, General Secretary, Pratap Market Traders' Association.Now, the shop owners are planning to approach higher officials for justice.
"The traders will be badly affected by such decision. We will ask the chief minister as well as the mayor to look in to the matter," said Paramjeet Singh Pamma, Vice-Chairman, Federation of Sadar Bazar Traders' Association.
"It is simply an encroachment process. Now, they have to submit the documents and follow all the rules," said Renuka Jai dev, Deputy Commissioner, Southern Paharganj Zone, MCD.u00a0
| Ready for the Fireworks |
| Gearing up to Diwali festivities, MCD has directed its officials to ensure that the city remains "clean and beautiful" by carrying out special drives. MCD Standing Committee Chairman Yogendra Chandolia directed the Municipal officers to ensure cleaning of roads, streets, drains and removal of garbage before the festival. He asked the Engineering Department to repair damaged roads and to remove waste materials immediately after carrying out the job. "Any laxity in this regard will not be tolerated and the officer responsible for dereliction of duties will be taken to task," he said. He also directed the sanitation staff to minutely monitor the working of private companies which are engaged in solid waste management. |
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