PIL Over Gwalior Encroachment, Vending Disorder Reaches High Court

The issue of growing encroachment and worsening traffic arrangements in Gwalior’s major markets has now reached the Gwalior Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court. A large number of handcarts and kiosks in the city have narrowed roads from the main routes to the inner markets.

Around 25 thousand handcarts and kiosks are operating across the city. In several places, only 2 to 3 metres of road remains available for movement. The situation has raised concerns about the increasing crowding of roads and the city’s vending arrangements.

The number of handcarts and kiosks on the city’s markets and major roads increased rapidly after the Corona period. At the same time, the 11 hawker zones created in the city are lying vacant. Temporary shops, however, continue to occupy footpaths and roads.

On Tuesday, thousands of people reached Maharaj Bada and the markets around it for Diwali shopping. The heavy crowd led to traffic jams that continued for several hours.

A public interest litigation has been filed over this disorder and the encroachment in the market areas. The petition has brought the condition of the city’s roads, the presence of handcarts and kiosks, and the use of hawker zones before the High Court.

During the hearing, the High Court asked the petitioner to present the list of vendors, the certificates issued to them and the record of receipts. These documents will now be important in examining the city’s vending system and the issue of encroachment.