Shimla, July 8: An anti-encroachment drive by the Shimla Municipal Corporation on Wednesday triggered protests from tehbazari (street vending) traders after temporary stalls and structures were removed, with vendors alleging they were evicted without being provided an alternative site.
Municipal Corporation officials, accompanied by police personnel and earthmoving machinery, carried out the demolition drive to clear encroachments from public roads and pedestrian pathways. As the operation progressed, vendors rushed to remove their belongings while several appealed to officials for more time, but the drive continued.
Many of the affected traders said they had been operating at the locations for years and depended entirely on their small businesses for their livelihood. They alleged that the civic body did not make any rehabilitation arrangements before initiating the eviction, leaving dozens of families facing financial uncertainty.
“If the encroachments had to be removed, the authorities should have first identified an alternative vending site. Evicting us without rehabilitation has jeopardised our only source of income,” one of the affected vendors said.
Municipal Corporation officials defended the action, saying the drive was part of its ongoing campaign to reclaim public land and ensure unobstructed movement on roads and footpaths. They said encroachments on public property would not be allowed and similar drives would continue in other parts of the city.
The action has sparked resentment among the affected vendors, who have demanded immediate rehabilitation and relocation. Several residents, while supporting the removal of encroachments to improve public convenience, said rehabilitation measures should accompany such drives to protect the livelihoods of small traders.
