Residents protest illegal liquor kiosk in Mall Mandi Green Belt

A makeshift kiosk allegedly serving liquor and food inside the green belt near Mall Mandi along the GT Road has raised questions over the roles of the Municipal Corporation and the police. Residents have accused the Municipal Corporation of turning a blind eye to blatant violations.

Locals claim the green belt, intended for public recreation, has been systematically encroached upon by vendors over time, beginning with vegetable sellers and now extending to illegal eateries.

“Instead of removing encroachments, the inaction of Municipal Corporation officials has emboldened more people to occupy public land,” said Prabhjot Singh, a local activist. The kiosk, reportedly operating in the open, serves both food and liquor, creating nuisance and safety concerns for residents and visitors. Locals allege that despite the presence of several police units stationed in the Mall Mandi area, no action has been taken to halt the illegal activity.

The encroachments have also narrowed the green stretch and caused traffic congestion along the busy GT Road, where vehicles frequently slow down due to makeshift stalls and parked vehicles. Residents are demanding that both the Municipal Corporation and the police take immediate steps to remove the illegal kiosk and restore the green belt to its original condition.

“A public place cannot be turned into a liquor joint. It’s a complete administrative failure. If the authorities continue to ignore such violations, the entire green belt could soon turn into an unregulated market, defeating its very purpose as a public recreational zone,” said Ravi, another resident.