Vendors return to Mangala Haat at Sakchi market, flout norms

Jamshedpur, July 9: Vendors have returned to the Mangala Haat at Sakchi market after about three months flouting norms.

They are flouting the social distancing norms. The shoppers and other visitors too were found disobeying the Covid appropriate behaviour amid threat of a possible third wave.

Due to relaxations in police vigil, footpath vendors entered the commercial hub in large numbers after 9 am. For the first time in the last three months the Sakchi market witnessed a huge crowd today, most of whom came to shop from the footpath vendors.

 The footpath vendors have been allotted a piece of land at the Aam Bagan ground in Sakchi for transacting business . They have been using that land for selling their wares for the last three months. But, today suddenly they turned up in large numbers at their original place at Sakchi market creating chaos.

The erstwhile Dhalbhum SDO Nitesh Kumar Singh had adopted strict measures and was instrumental in shifting the footpath vendors from the Sakchi market to near-by Ambagan ground. Following a state government notification on Monday  Singh was transferred to the state tourism department.

Commuters and visitors blamed lack of coordination between Jusco, JNAC and the administration which has led to encroachment menace returning to haunt visitors.

 “We have been receiving several complaints that the marketplace in Sakchi has begun to return to its previous condition.  But we have to keep it free from encroachment at any cost.  Therefore we are inspecting the market and also warning the foot-vendors not to try to do business on the foot-path once again,” said an official.

 He said the administration will take stern action if any of the foot-path vendors is found doing business on the roads inside the market. He also instructed the Sakchi police to remain vigilant at the market against any encroachment.

He said that they have been receiving complains that the vendors had have restarted selling their products on footpaths while shopkeepers and retail establishments put up extensions on drains and lanes at commercial hubs even after eviction drive by administration at Sakchi and Bistupur market the shopkeepers are flouting the guidelines.

 Taking lessons from the past incidents the district administration is likely to constitute a team of the administrative and police officials who will make surprise visits to the market to get hold of the shops.

A TSUISL, a civic amenities providing company said that they are coordinating with the administration  for making parking bays.  “We have carried out inspection for construction of parking bays and work has already begun in several parts. We will be extending our cooperation to the administration in utilizing areas freed of encroachment,” he said.

 A police official said that they do carry out drives to remove vendors and also penalize those found indulging in illegal parking.