Encroachment rampant on NSC Bose Road

The Corporation seemed to have taken seriously a Madras High Court directive, issued in August, asking the authorities to remove encroachments. There are even noticeboards on the stretch leading to the High Court on NSC Bose Road that say, ‘According to the High Court order, pavement shops are banned’. But hawkers sit right next to the board, occupying the pavement. 

‘Traffic’ Ramaswamy had filed a writ petition in 2015 and the court had ordered that the encroachments be removed. “Nothing changed — and despite  the authorities taking action, the hawkers returned,” he says. “I filed a contempt of court notice this year after the illegal encroachments were not cleared. I went there recently for checking and couldn’t see any difference.” 

According to the locals, it is close to impossible walking on the road. Earlier, bikes covered both sides of the stretch and some hawkers set up shop right on the road. Cars and share autos also park on the road and very little of the road is left for vehicles to use. 

“Recently, the authorities removed the encroachments and put proper noticeboards in place. The bikes are now parked in the designated area, but the encroachments continue,” says Suresh Kumar, a Sowcarpet resident, adding, “The Corporation is planning to expand the footpath, but I have a feeling that more than the pedestrians, it will be beneficial for the hawkers.” 

Hawkers say that they have nowhere else to go. “We have been having a shop here for the past 15 years and one day the police chases us away. Where are we supposed to go and ply our trade? We are not given any option,” says S. Senthil, a vegetable seller. 

“We will take necessary action and find an alternative space for hawkers,” said a Corporation official.