Pedestrians off road, vendors sit pretty in markets

Ramkrishan Upadhyay
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, June 26

Encroachments on pavements, increasing number of vendors and heaps of garbage on roadsides are among the problems being faced by residents of Sector 22 these days. It is the oldest sector of the city and is facing a lot of challenges.

Vinod Vashisht, president of the Sector 22 Government Houses Residents Welfare Association said due to unscrupulous urbanisation of the city, Sector 22 was daily witnessing a population of 1.5 lakh people, including floating population, which was equivalent to the entire sectors which came up in phase 1.

He said Sector 22 was the only residential sector of Chandigarh to be declared a heritage sector and it was high time the issues concerning it were addressed to keep the character of the City Beautiful intact and to retain the world heritage tag received from UNESCO.

He said encroachments were a major problem as almost all open spaces in the sector had been occupied by unauthorised street vendors.

The parking lots, both in residential and commercial areas, were inadequate. Another resident said with the increasing number of vehicles, owners of showrooms parked their vehicles in front of houses, causing a lot of problem to them. He said there was hardly any place for the pedestrians to walk. Footpaths, pavements, corridors and sidewalks had been usurped for street vending or parking.

Vashisht said proliferation of the PG business was also a matter of concern for area residents. Residents also rue lack of maintenance of parks.

“A nexus between MC employees, police personnel and politicians has made Sector 22 the biggest flea market of the city. It was difficult for residents to reach their home due to a heavy rush of visitors in markets of Sector 22. The sector has become hell for residents,” Rakesh Gandhi, spokesman for  Residents Ekta Welfare Society, Sector 22, said. “Many vendors have pitched tents alongside the rear boundary walls of government houses and occupants, especially women, feel scared in going to the bathrooms as vendors stay around till late at night,” said Kesar Pathania, senior vice-president of the Sector 22 Government Houses Residents Welfare Association. Gianender Singh Ahlawat, chairman, Heritage Protection Group, Sector 22,  said the  heritage area around Kiran Theatre had turned a slum with footpaths and parking areas encroached upon.

Owners of showrooms  park their  vehicles  in front of houses, causing  lot  of  problem  to  residents. There  is no place for pedestrians to walk. Footpaths and corridors have been being usurped by vendors.  — Gianender Singh Ahlawat

A nexus  between MC employees, police personnel and politicians has made Sector 22 the biggest flea market in the  city. It is difficult for residents to reach their home due to a heavy rush of visitors. — Rakesh Gandhi

Encroachments are a major problem   as almost all open spaces in the sector  have  been   occupied by unauthorised street vendors. There is inadequate parking, both in residential and commercial areas.  — Vinod Vashisht

MC officers are to be blamed for the encroachments.  I have raised  the  issue  of illegal vendors many   times,  but nothing  has happened. I will again raise the  issue  in the  next House  meeting.   — Ravi Kant Sharma, councillor