CHENNAI: Encroachments by street hawkers on Demellows Road in crowded north Chennai’s Pattalam were removed on Wednesday by the Greater Chennai Corporation officials.
However, authorities ensured that their shops exist within one and a half feet from the footpath on both the sides, where a rope nailed to the ground will determine the boundary.
The encroachments were removed after residents and shopkeepers in the area complained that the street hawkers were posing an inconvenience to them as their shops lead to heavy traffic snarls. The Madras high court had also asked the Greater Chennai Corporation to remove encroachments on the road.
The street hawkers said they were happy as long as they are allowed to set up shops on the roadside as Pattalam is an important market and that they eke out a living by setting up shops here.
Jayakrishnan V, the local traders’ association leader, said that they did not want to go harsh on street hawkers as they depended on their shops for their livelihood and the main concern was to ensure the road was free of encroachment making it easier for vehicular traffic.
Ajith Kumar, who resides and owns a jewellery shop in the area, said that they faced the problem from street hawkers as they would set up shops right in front of their house and they would not find a place to park their own vehicle in front of their house. He said that it was difficult for ambulance or fire engines to move swiftly into the area and once an ambulance was stuck for at least half an hour.
