90 illegal carts removed during 4-day intensive demolition drive in Gurugram

In a significant anti-encroachment operation, the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) and Municipal Corporation Gurugram (MCG) jointly removed over 75 illegal vegetable carts from the Khandsa road and over 14 unauthorised carts along Mahavir Chowk, Agrasen Chowk and the bus stand road.

The action was taken in line with the complaints received from citizens regarding the menace caused by the illegal vendors occupying the master road section near the sabzi mandi on the Khandsa road. The rampant presence of carts outside the mandi area was creating havoc in traffic movement for both school buses and office-goers.

Nodal Officer RS Batth conducted three visits over a span of 45 days and instructed all encroachers to clear the area and curb any illegal occupancy of the master roads. The teams of the MCG and the CMO also carried out separate visits to take stock of the situation and issued warnings to the violators.

Over a two-day drive that started from Monday night and ended on Tuesday morning, the enforcement teams of the GMDA and the MCG demolished over 75 illegal carts that were not only operating without valid licenses but were also causing major hindrances in the traffic movement on the Khandsa road. The goods being sold by the vendors were not damaged and all the vegetables and fruits were returned to the cart owners. Furthermore, two illegal fish markets, which were issued prior warnings on two occasions, were sealed by the MCG. Additionally, unauthorised ramps constructed in front of shops were dismantled.

“It was noticed that the vendors were illegally setting up ‘rehris’ outside the mandi area. We do not aim to trouble any genuine person or law-abiding citizen but strict action will be taken by the departments concerned against the local mafia, who are found to be operating such illegal carts in the city,” said Batth.

The DTP of GMDA emphasised that multiple warnings were issued to all offenders who were establishing illegal structures and encroaching public spaces before strict action was taken against them. Additionally, whoever was able to furnish the necessary permissions or appear to be genuine in their operations were not disturbed during the drives, the DTP added.