Delhi High Court moots committee to address encroachment, illegal hawkers, rickshaws at Chandni Chowk

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday said that it will constitute a committee to look into the encroachment, traffic violations, illegal hawking and other impermissible activities in the Chandni Chowk area [Chandni Chowk Sarv Vyapar Mandal vs. Delhi Police through Commissioner of Police & Ors.]..The Division Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia stated that all the civic agencies will report to the committee, which will be tasked with the day-to-day monitoring of the situation. “What we propose to do is, we will form a committee. All departments and corporations shall report to the committee. We will call for a report from the committee. Everything that is envisaged by an agency will have to be taken to the committee first. After the nod is given by the committee then that plan will be executed. These things become difficult for the court to monitor. Everyday monitoring by the court will not be possible. There has to be a broader plan. There has to be day-to-day action. We would involve these associations,” the Court stated..The Court made the proposition while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) petition filed by the traders' body of the Chandi Chowk. .Senior Advocate Sanjeev Ralli, appearing on behalf of the petitioner, apprised the Court of the issues plaguing the Chandani Chowk area. He raised concerns regarding rickshaw plying, loading and unloading of goods during restricted hours, illegal parking, illegal encroachment by hawkers and squatters, sanitation, heritage conservation, infrastructure damage and non-functioning traffic lights. “Only 400 rickshaws are permitted, there are 2,000 rickshaws in the area. This area is no vending, hawking, squatting zone. Unauthorised hawking is taking place,” he stated. He submitted a list of suggestions and recommendations that was considered by the Court..To the submissions, the Chief Justice remarked, “What measure can be taken to stop all this? Every single person entering this area should be accompanied by a police man? We also need to be sensitive.”The Chief Justice stated that it is conscious of the human problem.“People’s livelihood is involved. There are small vendors, hawkers. This becomes a human problem as well. Enforcing rule is very easy,” the Court stated. .The Court was also told that langars are organised at Gurudwaras and that there are several temples and churches that raise footfall in the area.“How to tackle, that is for you. The entire area will get ruined, then you will regret. Every single resident of Delhi, and with any kind of association with Delhi will regret. Your officers need to be sensitive,” the Court stated. .The Court then asked the parties to suggest names of senior officials, local persons for the purpose of forming the committee. “We will include the members of Vyapar Mandal is some capacity. Kindly give names of some persons of the Vyapar Mandal who are respected across the area,” the Court stated. The Court posted the matter for further consideration on February 24. .[Read live coverage].Follow Bar and Bench channel on WhatsAppDownload the Bar and Bench Mobile app for instant access to the latest legal news.