Praveen Shankar Kapoor, general secretary of Chandni Chowk Nagrik Manch (a local residents’ body), and spokesperson of the Delhi BJP, has drawn the attention of the Delhi Police and Municipal Corporation to the alarming situation caused by heavy encroachments from the alleged illegal street markets on the roads in several areas of Old Delhi. He demanded immediate action against the encroachments affecting the people of the area.
Kapoor blamed it on Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs and councilors who, he said, turned the areas like Chandni Chowk, Khari Baoli, Nai Sarak, and S.P. Mukherjee Marg into illegal street vending zones.
He claimed that the level of encroachment and illegal parking on the roads of Khari Baoli, Chandni Chowk, and Nai Sarak is so high that in case of an untoward incident, it would be problematic for fire brigades or ambulances to access the places.
He alleged the presence of a large-scale mafia operating a large number of illegal cycle rickshaws and e-rickshaws.
Kapoor claimed that the situation in the area has deteriorated to the point that a 15-minute walking distance from Red Fort to Khari Baoli, Lahori Gate takes almost an hour by a rickshaw.
He said due to all the irregularities, while the markets appear crowded due to the street vendors, customers are unable to reach the shops.