Encroachments removed from Regal Theatre Gateway

Nagpur: At least 10 unlicensed hawkers were detained in Sitabuldi after they opposed the anti-encroachment drive of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) on Friday afternoon within 50m on both sides of the heritage building — Regal Theater gate.
NMC enforcement inspector Sanjay Kamble told TOI that the Dharampeth zone’s enforcement team was at the Grade 1 listed structure on Friday to comply with the recent high court order to remove all hawkers within 50m on both sides of the monument. It was the third visit of the team. In the past, the team had returned without taking any action following non-availability of police force.
When the enforcement team, led by deputy municipal commissioner Ashok Patil, began its action, the hawkers started protesting. Soon, additional police forces from Ajni and other nearby police stations joined the Sitabuldi police team, led by senior PI Atul Sabnis. They helped the team remove at least hundreds of unlicensed vendors from the area.
The police later detained around 8 to 10 hawkers who were protesting the drive. The team also seized a truckload of materials, Kamble said, adding that the drive freed the area around the heritage structure of encroachments.
As per NMC’s Dharampeth zone, the Sitabuldi market has around 120 licensed hawkers. The NMC will only allow them to do business, while unlicensed vendors will continue to face eviction action, said officials.
Full report on www,toi.in