The bustling Sitabuldi market area in Nagpur has plunged back into familiar chaos, with traffic moving at a crawl after street vendors returned to the stretch officially declared a hawker-free zone. The Nagpur Municipal Corporation's (NMC) past anti-encroachment drives now seem a distant memory as footpaths and even parts of the carriageway have been reclaimed by the hawkers.
Market Returns to Crowded Avatar, Pedestrians Forced Onto Road
A recent visit to the area revealed bumper-to-bumper traffic, where even two-wheelers struggled to navigate through the dense crowd. With footpaths completely blocked, pedestrians had no choice but to walk on the already congested road. The scene is one of honking vehicles, jammed junctions, and shoppers spilling onto the carriageway.
During peak hours, the situation worsens significantly. Commuters are forced to manoeuvre their vehicles through narrow gaps between makeshift stalls, handcarts, and throngs of shoppers. Kshitij Tejwani, a local resident, expressed his frustration, stating, "For a four-wheeler driver like me, it's a nuisance. I had to park my car at Jhansi Rani Square and walk all the way here." Other commuters note that the congestion has intensified over the past few weeks, coinciding with the festive rush around Christmas and New Year.
Political Climate and Festive Season Blamed for Lax Enforcement
Civic observers and stakeholders point to a combination of factors for the resurgence. A primary reason cited is the upcoming Nagpur Municipal Corporation elections. Action against hawkers has reportedly slowed down, as vendors form a significant vote bank in the commercially sensitive Sitabuldi zone. This often makes them soft targets during election seasons.
Hawker federation chief Razzap Qureshi confirmed to sources that many evicted vendors never truly left. "The alternative space offered to us was not viable. Our customers are here, in Sitabuldi," he said. Qureshi explained that many hawkers had initially adjusted in the narrow lanes of the market but have now come out into the open to cater to the increased festive footfall. "Christmas and New Year bring good business, and naturally, vendors return to places where demand exists," he added.
Qureshi also hinted that the election period has contributed to weak enforcement. "Once the elections are over and the administrator's rule ends, things will become clearer. Until then, enforcement remains weak," he stated. Deputy commissioner Harish Raut of NMC's enforcement department was unavailable for comment despite attempts to reach him.
Commuters Bear the Brunt of Returning Chaos
The return of the hawkers has effectively rolled back any temporary relief gained from the earlier anti-encroachment drives. The market has returned to its old, crowded self, causing daily inconvenience to thousands. The situation highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing urban mobility and space for informal street vendors, a issue that becomes particularly acute during festive periods and in the shadow of political cycles.
