Latest news with #Tehbazari
Indian Express
22-07-2025
- Indian Express
‘If you are diligent and vigilant, none of this would happen': Delhi court pulls up MCD, police over traffic jam outside premises
A Delhi court on Monday pulled up the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and the traffic police for 'insufficient action' while hearing a petition filed by a lawyer requesting to remove illegal encroachments on public roads and footpaths around the Tis Hazari court complex. 'If you will be diligent and vigilant, none of this will happen…You are dutybound to take action…if you are taking action, it is not sufficient,' Civil Judge Rinku Jain of Tis Hazari court said. 'What are you doing when there is a violation? Why does the status report not mention the number of challans you have issued? You have not mentioned properly what action has been taken,' the judge added. Advocate Devender Dhiryan, whose chamber is in Tis Hazari, had moved the petition before the court alleging that 'illegal encroachments, traffic congestion and unregulated activities' had proliferated in a 1 km radius of Tis Hazari courts and surrounding areas. The court had on earlier occasions asked the authorities to submit detailed reports highlighting the steps being taken to deal with the congestion. 'I cross Tis Hazari twice. There are fewer mobile vendors and a lot more stationary vendors… one big problem is that people stop their cars on the road to buy stuff. This causes jams,'' Judge Jain said. 'Those who are sitting permanently, what action has been taken against them? What is the area allotted to tehbazari [licence] holders and the area they are actually occupying… have they expanded it to two or three times? I am just asking them to check that,' the court added, directing the authorities to file a fresh status report. 'The report filed on behalf of MCD is not in terms with the previous order dt. 02.06.2025. The report has not mentioned if the area actually occupied by the tehbazari holders around Tis Hazari Courts…counsel for defendant no.1 undertakes to file fresh report in terms of order dt. 02.06.2025,' the judge said in his order, listing the matter for August 25. Judge Jain also told the authorities that while he will not be passing directions, they were dutybound to take action. 'You cannot turn a blind eye saying there is no direction from the court,' he said. A status report submitted by the MCD this month stated that no mobile vendors were permanently stationed in the area and that the 'MCD keeps taking action against the Tehbazari holders who encroach beyond allotted size and also against vendors who violate the terms & conditions of Certificate of Vending'. This answer was unsatisfactory to the court, and it directed the authorities to tell them how much area the licence holders (or vendors) were occupying and if this was multiple times bigger than what was allotted to them. In an earlier status report dated March 26, 2025, the civic body had stated that there were 198 vendors with a licence around the court complex. Other vendors, it had told the court, had a certificate which allowed them to vend at a particular place for up to 30 minutes. Another report submitted earlier by Sub-Inspector K L Kuldeep from Kashmiri Gate Police station stated that 20 heavy vehicles had been impounded and 30 challans imposed on them in 2024 in the surrounding areas. It had also said that 1,963 challans had been imposed for improper parking and 1,700 challans for permit violations. This report stated that in 2024, 830 vehicles had been seized by the police station. Under Section 285 (danger or obstruction in public way or line of navigation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 852 First Information Reports (FIRs) were lodged at the police station last year, stated this report. Along with the MCD and the station house officer of Kashmiri Gate Police station, another status report was submitted in court in March by the traffic inspector, Civil Lines Circle, Delhi. This report had mentioned that 31 traffic personnel had been deployed in two shifts to mitigate the vehicular congestion around Tis Hazari Court. The report also mentioned that from January 1 to March 24 this year, 5,946 challans had been imposed. For improper parking, the report had stated, 995 challans had been imposed. Another 1,005 had been imposed for 'no entry violations', it added. Along with this, 154 vehicles had been impounded, as per the report.
Time of India
14-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Delhi's walkways under siege: Footpath or food court? Saket residents fight for pedestrian space
The pedestrian infrastructure around D and E Blocks becomes a slalom course by evening, with pedestrians trying to dodge food stalls, parked bikes and even a public toilet planted mid-footpath NEW DELHI: In Saket, around D and E Blocks, footpaths are plenty — or at least, they appear to be. From afar, the area boasts a well-developed pedestrian infrastructure. But by noon, much of it vanishes beneath something else: a dosa cart here, a fruit stall there, and in some spots, a full-blown dhaba sprawled across the walkway. By evening, it becomes a slalom course, not for vehicles, but pedestrians trying to dodge food stalls, parked bikes and even a public toilet planted mid-footpath. For Anantnala Potdar, an evening walk is no longer possible. "The path used to be wide and smooth. Now I'm scared I'll fall if I try to walk there. It's not a footpath anymore. It's a food court," she said, gesturing towards the row of street carts. Just ahead of her was a street vendor selling fruits. He has been here for over two decades. He said: "I've worked here for 23 years. I even took a loan under the PM SVANidhi scheme. This spot is mentioned on my certificate. Where else am I supposed to go?" His eyes well up. "This isn't a hobby. It's our rozi roti. I have two kids. Give us a proper space, and we'll go. But don't just push us out overnight." Anantnala acknowledged the importance of street vendors but emphasised the need for balance. Certificates are okay, but before that, vending spots and respecting pedestrian needs are also important, she said. MCD must look for a balanced approach. Her concerns highlighted the growing issue of pedestrian safety and accessibility in the area. Caught between these two worlds — the need to walk safely and the need to earn — are Delhi's footpaths, shrinking with each passing day. Now, resident welfare associations (RWAs) are raising their voices against the encroachment of footpaths. A campaign has been launched by RWAs. They are demanding the removal of encroachments from footpaths. The campaign includes some days of standing with placards reading "Counsellors take action, footpaths for people, not for vendors or parking,". On other days, it involves a series of complaints to either the MCD or the police, and social media posts, tagging officials online. Rakesh Dabas, president of the federation of RWAs, Saket, said that due to encroachments, people are forced to walk on roads, risking accidents. He added that they have started a campaign involving constant complaints with authorities. Although complaints are often lodged with the authorities, action is either delayed or not taken. Therefore, this time a social media campaign has been launched. He added that the main demand is for footpaths to be freed of encroachments and for walking paths to be properly marked on the roadside. The vendors continue showing their Tehbazari certificates — the proof that govt allowed them to be there. "We're not hiding. We just need a proper place to stand," one vendor said. "We try not to block the footpath either." "The stalls are here not just for 2-3 but 40 years. Where do we go? The certificate is by MCD. Further, we just need a place to sell. If footpaths are getting encroached, send us to a nearby place. We will sell there." Arbind Singh, national coordinator of the National Association of Street Vendors of India (NASVI), said: "Just a blank statement—street vendors can't be on the footpath — is not right. They should be able to operate within designated spaces while ensuring pedestrian movement is not obstructed. The tehbazari certificate and vending certificate are mostly the same. So, while residents' demand for footpath space is correct, street vendors are also not wrong. MCD must come up with vending spots or zones. In the end, respecting the needs of all is crucial, and it should be a balanced approach. Also, it's not just vendors encroaching on footpaths." An MCD official said: "We have previously conducted joint actions with the police and are planning more regular enforcement drives in the coming days." However, they did not respond to questions about certificates, mentioning specific site addresses or the creation of designated vending zones. Local police did not respond. However, it's not just Saket. Footpath encroachment is a citywide concern. From street vendors to improper parking outside big showrooms, this has become a norm in the city. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Time of India
13-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Footpath or food court? Saket residents fight for pedestrian space
New Delhi: In Saket, around D and E Blocks, footpaths are plenty — or at least, they appear to be. From afar, the area boasts a well-developed pedestrian infrastructure. But by noon, much of it vanishes beneath something else: a dosa cart here, a fruit stall there, and in some spots, a full-blown dhaba sprawled across the walkway. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now By evening, it becomes a slalom course, not for vehicles, but pedestrians trying to dodge food stalls, parked bikes and even a public toilet planted mid-footpath. For Anantnala Potdar, an evening walk is no longer possible. "The path used to be wide and smooth. Now I'm scared I'll fall if I try to walk there. It's not a footpath anymore. It's a food court," she said, gesturing towards the row of street carts. Just ahead of her was a street vendor selling fruits. He has been here for over two decades. He said: "I've worked here for 23 years. I even took a loan under the PM SVANidhi scheme. This spot is mentioned on my certificate. Where else am I supposed to go?" His eyes well up. "This isn't a hobby. It's our rozi roti. I have two kids. Give us a proper space, and we'll go. But don't just push us out overnight." Anantnala acknowledged the importance of street vendors but emphasised the need for balance. Certificates are okay, but before that, vending spots and respecting pedestrian needs are also important, she said. MCD must look for a balanced approach. Her concerns highlighted the growing issue of pedestrian safety and accessibility in the area. Caught between these two worlds — the need to walk safely and the need to earn — are Delhi's footpaths, shrinking with each passing day. Now, resident welfare associations (RWAs) are raising their voices against the encroachment of footpaths. A campaign has been launched by RWAs. They are demanding the removal of encroachments from footpaths. The campaign includes some days of standing with placards reading "Counsellors take action, footpaths for people, not for vendors or parking,". Tired of too many ads? go ad free now On other days, it involves a series of complaints to either the MCD or the police, and social media posts, tagging officials online. Rakesh Dabas, president of the federation of RWAs, Saket, said that due to encroachments, people are forced to walk on roads, risking accidents. He added that they have started a campaign involving constant complaints with authorities. Although complaints are often lodged with the authorities, action is either delayed or not taken. Therefore, this time a social media campaign has been launched. He added that the main demand is for footpaths to be freed of encroachments and for walking paths to be properly marked on the roadside. The vendors continue showing their Tehbazari certificates — the proof that govt allowed them to be there. "We're not hiding. We just need a proper place to stand," one vendor said. "We try not to block the footpath either." "The stalls are here not just for 2-3 but 40 years. Where do we go? The certificate is by MCD. Further, we just need a place to sell. If footpaths are getting encroached, send us to a nearby place. We will sell there." Arbind Singh, national coordinator of the National Association of Street Vendors of India (NASVI), said: "Just a blank statement—street vendors can't be on the footpath — is not right. They should be able to operate within designated spaces while ensuring pedestrian movement is not obstructed. The tehbazari certificate and vending certificate are mostly the same. So, while residents' demand for footpath space is correct, street vendors are also not wrong. MCD must come up with vending spots or zones. In the end, respecting the needs of all is crucial, and it should be a balanced approach. Also, it's not just vendors encroaching on footpaths." An MCD official said: "We have previously conducted joint actions with the police and are planning more regular enforcement drives in the coming days." However, they did not respond to questions about certificates, mentioning specific site addresses or the creation of designated vending zones. Local police did not respond. However, it's not just Saket. Footpath encroachment is a citywide concern. From street vendors to improper parking outside big showrooms, this has become a norm in the city.
