The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court has taken a strong stance against the illegal weekly vegetable market being operated near Nigam Tiraha and Arjun Triangle Park in Sector-1, Jankipuram. Expressing dissatisfaction with the functioning of the Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC), the court noted that similar illegal weekly markets in Indiranagar and on Sultanpur Road were addressed by relocating the hawkers to alternative sites. The court directed that effective action be taken in this case as well within one month, with a compliance report to be submitted by May 25.
Petitioners' Concerns
The order was issued by a bench comprising Justice Alok Mathur and Justice Syed Qamar Hasan Rizvi while hearing a writ petition filed by Sandeep Kumar Agrawal, Sanjana Mittal, Nitin Kumar, and others. The petitioners highlighted that the market, held every Wednesday and Saturday on the 60-foot-wide main road, causes severe traffic congestion, litter, and significant transportation difficulties for local residents. They demanded the relocation of the weekly market to an appropriate location.
LMC's Admission and Court's Objection
During the proceedings, the LMC acknowledged in its response that a market operates at the site and that the presence of street vendors on the road disrupts traffic. However, the LMC also claimed that a portion of the road remains vacant, allowing pedestrians to pass through. The bench strongly objected to this explanation, emphasizing that it is the LMC's duty to ensure that public roads are free from encroachments. The court remarked that the LMC collects taxes but remains indifferent to solving citizens' problems.
Court's Directions
The bench directed the LMC to take concrete steps to either remove the market or make alternative arrangements within one month. It also instructed the LMC to seek assistance from the district magistrate and the police commissioner if necessary. The court made it clear that the LMC must act promptly to resolve the issue and restore the road to its intended use.
