Encroachment by Street Vendors on Government Land in the City

Pedestrians Struggle to Navigate Through Markets

Residents Demand Immediate Action from Deputy Commissioner, Bathinda

Rama Mandi, 14 December  (Ashok Kumar)
While the Punjab government is actively working to remove illegal encroachments from public properties across various cities, the situation in Rama Mandi tells a different story. Here, numerous individuals have unlawfully occupied government land belonging to the Municipal Council and other departments, with the encroached properties reportedly worth at least ₹100 crore.

Street vendors have set up their carts on prime locations such as Railway Bazaar, Khoo Wala Chowk, and Gandhi Bazaar. This not only deprives the government of valuable land but also makes it extremely difficult for pedestrians to walk through these markets.

Speaking to reporters, several pedestrians expressed frustration over the unyielding behavior of the street vendors. Even during severe traffic jams, these vendors refuse to move their carts even slightly. Attempts to confront them often escalate into arguments or physical altercations, leaving pedestrians hesitant to speak up.

Furthermore, some shopkeepers reportedly charge these vendors hefty monthly fees to allow them to park their carts in front of their shops, despite the land being government property. This practice highlights the complicity of both the vendors and the shopkeepers, with local authorities allegedly turning a blind eye to the issue.

Residents pointed out that this situation leads to frequent accidents in the overcrowded markets, with three to four such incidents occurring daily due to vehicles colliding.

Frustrated with the lack of action, residents and commuters have urged the Deputy Commissioner of Bathinda to intervene immediately. They have demanded the restoration of the 30-foot-wide market pathways to ensure smooth and safe access for everyone.