Nagpur’s Jaripatka area, recently a hotspot for encroachments, has witnessed action by the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC). Food stalls that had taken over footpaths near the Christian Kabrastan and Ginger Mall were removed in a crackdown aimed at easing congestion and restoring order.
For weeks, footpaths in the area had been blocked by vendors, forcing pedestrians onto busy roads and creating chaos for motorists. The situation had worsened with parked vehicles adding to the clutter, turning the landing near the Muslim and Christian Kabrastan into an accident-prone zone.
The removal of stalls follows repeated complaints from residents and commuters about the lack of space and rising safety concerns.
While the move aims to address public inconvenience, it has also impacted vendors who relied on these locations for their livelihood. Suresh Meshram, who ran a tea stall on the footpath, shared his concerns: “This spot has been my source of income for two years. I understand the need to clear the footpaths, but I hope the authorities provide us with an alternative vending zone. We’re willing to cooperate.”

The crackdown has received mixed reactions from locals. While many welcome the relief from congestion, others emphasize the need for designated vending zones to support small vendors without compromising public spaces. The NMC is expected to continue its encroachment removal drives in other affected areas of the city.