Residents and senior citizens in Nagpur’s Pratap Nagar Chowk to Mate Chowk area are facing a serious threat due to illegal encroachments on the road. The footpaths, originally designated for pedestrians, have been taken over by numerous food joints and fruit vendors, causing major inconvenience and increased accidents.
Panipuri stalls, pavbhaji vendors, florists, and other shopkeepers have set up their businesses along this stretch, completely eliminating the footpaths. This forces pedestrians to walk on the main road, risking their lives and leading to frequent accidents and injuries. The situation is exacerbated by two-wheeler and four-wheeler owners parking their vehicles to visit these vendors, further obstructing the already limited space for pedestrians.
The residents have expressed their concerns to the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and demanded immediate action. They highlight the fact that unauthorized food and fruit stalls have created blind spots, compromising the safety of both pedestrians and motorists. Moreover, the planned office of Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis near Nakshatra Hall is expected to worsen traffic congestion in the area.
Additionally, senior citizens have accused the NMC of ineffective anti-encroachment drives. Vendors are allegedly warned in advance, allowing them to temporarily relocate to nearby lanes until the NMC officials leave, after which they resume their normal business activities.
In response, residents and senior citizens are urging the NMC to conduct surprise anti-encroachment drives to remove unauthorized structures and restore the footpaths for pedestrian use. They emphasize the urgency of the situation, given the frequent accidents and injuries that have occurred.
