Shop-keepers near the busy Tower circle area in Karimnagar town are up in arms against street vendors, who the shop-keepers claim are eating into their businesses by blocking the road and parking spaces near their outlets.
The shop-keepers lamented that they were shelling out huge amount of rent at the shopping areas near head post office and BSNL office, but were unable to do any business. Customers could not approach the shops as the paths, roads and parking spaces were blocked by small-time vendors selling vegetables and fruits in pushcarts, they said.
Due to the encroachment of parking spaces by vendors, commuters are being forced to park their vehicles in the middle of the road in the busy area. Commuters complain that at New Annapurna complex, fruit vendors threaten to deflate the vehicles if they are parked in the designated area.
Mahesh, a bookstore owner, says he was incurring huge losses as customers were unable to visit his shop. “A mafia is reigning terror in the market area by encouraging small-time vendors and causing several hardships to the shop-keepers,” he alleged.
Ramesh, the owner of a footwear shop, said due to the lack of business, he was unable to even pay rent. Despite the shop-keepers making several complaints to the Municipal authorities, the situation had not changed, he added.
He said when the municipality was governed by a Special Officer, there were no encroachments. “The elected municipal corporators are encourage illegal vendors on the roads,” said Mr. Ramesh.
Though the officials have been promising the shop-keepers that the hawkers and vendors would be relocated, the shop-keepers of this area are planning to form an association and approach the court. “Our livelihood and future are bleak due to the encroachments,” said a shop-keeper.
Supporting the shop-keepers, Lok Satta Udyama Samstha district president N. Srinivas demanded the authorities relocate all the hawkers and vendors from the roads to the spacious Rythu Bazaar immediately.
