Gurgaon: At the Huda market in Gurgaon’s Sector 14, cropping up of numerous illegal shops and parking lots have led to a major inconvenience for residents in the area.
According to the residents, the rampant encroachment in the area causes regular
traffic snarls and there is no space for pedestrians. Haphazard parking and flouting of traffic norms, too, are common near the market.
The locals pointed out that most of the corridors, roads and pavements have been occupied by the shopkeepers and vendors — giving no space for people to walk. Even the benches, which were installed for the visitors’ convenience, are being used by the vendors.
They alleged that the civic authorities have failed to keep a check on the squatters despite several anti-encroachment drives in the past.
Dinesh Aggrawal, former president of the Sector 14 RWA said, "There is always a chaotic situation in the marketplace with rampant encroachments on the corridors, public land and parking space, restricting a smooth flow of movement for visitors. Both MCG and HUDA are aware about this, but nothing has been done to keep a check on the encroachments. Despite the pandemic, basic protocols of physical distancing are not being followed in this busy marketplace."
The residents alleged that hawkers have come to an arrangement with the shopkeepers, where they are allowed to sell goods outside the shops. They said that encroachments should be stopped and strict action should be taken against regular violators in the form of penalties.
Kalyan Singh Sharma, a social activist who lives in the area, said: "Whenever we ask the hawkers not to block the space, they simply ignore our plea. Even the civic body’s anti-encroachment drive is a mere eyewash as the situation is still the same. This is not possible without the connivance of the local authorities."
Meanwhile, an MCG official said that they have conducted anti-encroachment drives on several occasions. Jitender Garg, joint commissioner, MCG, said: "We will conduct a major campaign in the market soon and strict action will be taken against violators. We will seal the shops where such encroachments are being allowed."