Mysuru: One need not be surprised if our city layouts become centres of footpath shops, destroying the footpaths for local residents to walk. The latest is a petty shop that has suddenly come up, about three days back, on Swami Vivekananda Road in Yadavagiri, next to HOPCOMS outlet.

Immediately, local residents, numbering about 50, went to this new footpath box shop to protest. Soon, the owner, apparently informed by someone, appeared on the spot and showed a letter of permission given by MUDA. The residents were surprised that while they were paying tax to the MCC, how come the MUDA has started giving permission to petty shops like this one which would surely lead to mushrooming of such shops in this vicinity.

On further enquiry, the residents came to know that this petty shop is for opening a KMF outlet (Nandini Milk Booth). Why this one when another KMF outlet exists about 500 mts. from this point is the question. The residents have already given a complaint to both MUDA Commissioner and MCC Zone-4 Commissioner in this regard and are hoping to get relief.

Since the structure has come up on the footpath, it is an illegal structure because of the Supreme Court verdict and the authorities concerned should get such structures removed immediately.

It is a small wonder that this petty shop is just about 150 ft. away from the heritage R.K. Narayan’s Museum which is visited by a lot of tourists during Dasara. Naturally, these shops expect good business.

It may be recalled that Star of Mysore had highlighted such encroachments in its Weekend Star Supplement titled ‘FOODPATHS: Pushing Pedestrians Off The Footpath’ on Aug. 18.