Kochi: Nearly 50 illegal vendors who had encroached on public spaces in the tourist spot of Fort Kochi were evicted by a revenue department team and police on Friday.
The eviction drive started as early as 6 am and lasted for several hours under a tight security cover.
“The action was mainly taken against those who refused to shift their shops despite being served with a warning notice. The drive wascarried out in the heritage areas like Vascodagama Square, Children’s Park premises and beach walkway. Four-wheel push-carts, makeshift shops made of plastic shacks and roadside kiosks were cleared,” Fort Kochi sub-collector S Suhas said.
However, many vendors had earlier voluntarily shifted from the encroached areas after getting the notice to move out in 24 hours.
“We will also not allow vendors to sell articles on push carts after 6.30 pm. Action is also being taken against the shops which have been extended using tarpaulin sheets that stretch beyond permitted area,” he said.
This is not the first attempt to clean up the heritage spot, with the district authorities and the Kochi corporation launching similar drives in the past. However, every time the vendors manage to erect temporary shops soon after the bulldozers leave the place.
In May 2012, the Kochi Corporation evicted over 100 unauthorised shops in Fort Kochi as per a High Court order that evoked much protest from traders.
