The Delhi High Court has observed that weekly markets operating across the city must be well-regulated and cannot become a 'security nightmare'. The court sought the stand of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) on a plea filed by a resident of Uttam Nagar in west Delhi, seeking closure of a weekly market in his locality on the grounds that it creates nuisance and completely blocks the road to his house.
Court's Observation on Weekly Markets
A bench of Justices Prathiba M Singh and Madhu Jain remarked in a recent order, 'In the opinion of this court, the contrast is stark. Weekly bazaars cannot be converted into a safety and security nightmare for residents. The same ought to be regulated both in terms of number of vendors and the space occupied by them.'
The court expressed surprise after reviewing photographs submitted by the petitioner, showing that on regular days, Som Bazar Road had little traffic and was easily accessible. However, on the day the weekly market was held, there was no space for vehicles or pedestrians to move, leading to severe traffic congestion.
Petitioner's Grievances
The petitioner, Ved Prakash, stated that he was compelled to approach the court under Article 226 of the Constitution seeking removal of the market, which sets up every Monday. He alleged extensive encroachment by vendors and sought the court's intervention to address the issue.
MCD's Response and Next Steps
The High Court issued a notice to the MCD, directing it to submit a status report detailing the actions it proposes to take regarding the matter. In response, the corporation informed the court that the Delhi government is preparing a comprehensive plan covering all such weekly bazaars. The plan will be submitted along with a status report specifically concerning the market in Uttam Nagar.
The court granted the MCD two weeks to present its stand and scheduled the next hearing for August 6.
