Our area Councillor, Jagmohan Mehlawat, was approached by the D-3/4 RWA and others, with complaints of illegal encroachments in Vasant Kunj. He decided to initiate efforts to try and remedy this situation!
Angel Bhati, Deputy Commissioner South Zone, was invited and the Councillor accompanied her in a surprise tour from B-1 to B-10. It was meant to show her the ground reality first hand! There were both movable and immovable structures encroaching on the footpath and even the road! Effective action was discussed and promised.
But it’s a gigantic challenge to deal with. The vendors appear to have regularly paid to law keepers to survive without any punitive action. The concerned agencies have almost always looked the other way.
One can be lenient in case of a make-shift cycle-puncture shop, a rehriwala dishing out chhole- bhature and the weekly bazaar! The others must be dealt with a strong hand.
A more rational solution would be to create Vendor Zones, like in Noida, and leave the approved participants in peace!
Meanwhile if Jagmohan Mehlawat wants to fulfil his promise of making Ward 156, the best in Delhi, he would have to be on his toes all 365 days a year!
by Rakesh Dewan (D-3/3124, Mobile 8819244978)
