New Delhi — Tension flared in Delhi’s popular Sarojini Nagar market as a late-night anti-encroachment drive by the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) led to the demolition of structures outside nearly 150 shops, prompting strong protest from local traders, reported the Hindustan Times.
The operation began around 11 PM on Saturday, well after the market had shut for the day. According to Ashok Randhawa, president of the Sarojini Nagar Mini Market Traders’ Association, bulldozers and enforcement personnel arrived unannounced and proceeded to raze shop extensions, awnings, and signage until 1 AM.
“If we hadn’t intervened in time, the damage could have been even worse. These awnings are common across all markets and are used to protect from sunlight and rain,” Randhawa said. He accused the authorities of acting without prior warning or consultation, despite recent meetings held with NDMC officials.
In its statement, NDMC justified the action as part of its ongoing efforts to reclaim public space, remove unauthorized structures, and ensure smoother pedestrian access. “This is part of an intensified night-time anti-encroachment initiative to enhance urban accessibility,” the civic body stated.
However, the traders expressed dismay, saying the drive was conducted under the guise of removing illegal vendors but targeted permanent shop structures as well. Ashok Kalra, general secretary of the Sarojini Nagar Market Association, pointed out that such structures are also present in NDMC buildings themselves. “We were not even issued a warning. We’ll protest against this injustice,” he said.
Sarojini Nagar market, a key shopping hub since 1951, houses various sub-markets including the main market with 200 shops, Babu Market with 120 shops, and the Mini Market with 32. The area, under the jurisdiction of the Land and Development Office (L&DO), has often faced complaints about fire safety violations due to makeshift storage on rooftops.
Traders acknowledged fire safety concerns but claimed that efforts to regularize storage spaces have been delayed by the authorities. “We’re being unfairly targeted while the process for legalizing storage areas is stuck,” a trader remarked.
The demolition drive has reignited the long-standing debate on balancing urban planning with livelihood security, especially in bustling commercial centers.
