Lots of of road distributors led by Bharatiya Janata Get together’s Loni MLA Nand Kishor Gurjar and flanked by get together councillor took out a march in Ghaziabad metropolis on Friday to protest the removing of weekly markets from metropolis roads by the police.
Municipal commissioner Vikramaditya Malik has mentioned that they’ve directed the officers and zonal heads of all 5 company zones to hold out a survey of distributors and in addition establish locations the place such markets will be put up briefly. (Sakib Ali/HT Picture)
The march was taken out from Ambedkar Park in Navyug Market to the district headquarters about three kilometres away.
Distributors who put up stalls at these flea markets — domestically known as paith bazars – are protesting the police motion to take away them from roadsides with an purpose to cut back visitors congestion. Police mentioned their measure will ease visitors chaos throughout Ghaziabad metropolis.
On Thursday, Gurjar had put up a vegetable stall on the roadside weekly market close to Naipura in Loni, daring police and administrative officers to take away him.
“The vendors were congregating at the Navyug Market for a protest. Initially, police drove them away. Then, I stepped in, and the Loni MLA also joined us at Ambedkar Park. Thereafter, we carried out a protest march on foot from the park to the district magistrate’s office to hand over a memorandum. The MLA walked barefoot all the way,” mentioned Sheetal Deol, a BJP councillor from ward Shibbanpura/Patel Marg.
“Before issuing such directions, police did not hold any meeting with stakeholders, nor did they allocate any alternative space for vendors,” Deol mentioned.
Gurjar mentioned that the police had earlier banned e-rickshaws on Hapur Highway in September 2024, and now they’re attempting to take away weekly markets.
“The vendors are pained. But officials are not ready to listen. There are about 200,000 families of vendors who are suffering. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief minister Adityanath are bringing various schemes to benefit the poor, certain officials are trying to impose diktat over poor vendors. I will support the vendors’ cause and will meet the CM to discuss the issue,” Gurjar mentioned.
Rajesh Kumar, deputy commissioner of police (metropolis), mentioned prohibitory orders are already in place within the metropolis.
“The MLA and the councillor, along with vendors, took out the march to the office of the district magistrate. So, the administration will do the needful. As of now, we do not contemplate any action for violation of prohibitory orders,” he mentioned.
A bunch of distributors and their leaders handed over their memorandum of calls for to district Justice of the Peace (DM) Deepak Meena on Friday night.
“They met me in the evening, and I have taken their memorandum. They raised concerns about the removal of markets. In this context, I will speak to the senior police officers and also the municipal corporation to help find a solution,” Meena mentioned.
Mayor Sunita Dayal mentioned the company is planning a coverage for distributors.
“The city is grappling with traffic issues in localities as a result of weekly markets. Further, these vendors also face extortion from people. We intend to bring a policy in which the vendors will be registered with the corporation, and we will provide them space wherever possible. Discussions will be held in this regard,” Dayal mentioned.
Municipal commissioner Vikramaditya Malik mentioned they’ve directed the officers and zonal heads of all 5 company zones to hold out a survey of distributors and in addition establish locations the place such markets will be put up briefly.
“The survey must be completed in five days. The final decision will be taken up after discussion with the town vending committee on February 13,” he mentioned.