Shop owners and roadside vendors blame each other

Mysuru: After a brief pause, Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) resumed clearing of footpath encroachments in city this morning.

MCC’s Abhaya staff, equipped with necessary tools and equipment, started removing obstacles which were hampering safe and hassle-free movement of pedestrians on Sayyaji Rao Road which is one of the busiest roads in the heart of the city. A few days back, MCC had carried out footpath encroachment clearance drive in different parts of city following State Government’s decision to clear encroachments after Supreme Court order, which was appreciated by Mysureans. Today’s drive began from K.R. Circle and was done on both sides of the busy Sayyaji Rao Road.

Today’s clearing drive began from K.R. Circle and was done on both sides of the busy Sayyaji Rao Road.

MCC, through public announcement system, appealed vendors who have encroached footpaths to clear immediately and warned that their materials will be taken away by MCC officials if they fail to obey the directions.

Footpath vendors, who were selling garments, foot wears, cosmetics, plastic items, fruits, bangles and others took away their materials immediately following the public announcement.

After ensuring clearance of footpath on Sayyaji Rao Road, the MCC staff shifted their operations to areas surrounding Gandhi Square, cleared the encroachments after appealing roadside vendors to take away their materials.

MCC officials warned that if they are found again doing business on footpath their materials will be seized.

Footpath vendors, however, complained that the showroom owners on Sayyaji Rao Road are also keeping their materials on footpaths. “We are doing business for the last 30 years on footpath and earning our livelihood. We have been given valid licence and ID cards by MCC to conduct business. We are using only 2 feet of the footpath and there is still 7 to 8 feet left for public movement. But the encroachment by shop owners are actually obstructing free movement of the citizens and not by us. Hence, clear encroachment of shop owners and allow us to do business,” demanded the roadside vendors.

On the other hand, shop owners argued that they have valid trade licence and pay taxes to the Government but still were not doing much business because of street vendors who are causing them financial loss.

MCC Assistant Commissioner Pratibha, Development Officer Jagadeesh, Environmental Engineer Mythri, Health Inspectors, Engineers and members of ‘Abhaya’ team participated in the clearance drive.