Remove encroachments around Anand Vihar ISBT, beautify area: Delhi High Court

The Delhi High Court has ordered the removal of all unauthorised street vendors operating outside the Anand Vihar Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT)..In an order passed on January 22, a Division Bench of Justices Prathiba M Singh and Madhu Jain noted that there was severe congestion and violation of vending regulations near the Anand Vihar ISBT. The Court said that only 105 recognised vendors will be allowed to continue operating there under strict conditions. “The MCD [Municipal Corporation of Delhi] shall, accordingly, take steps, along with the SHO or the DCP of the concerned area, to remove all the vendors. However, adequate time shall be given of at least five to six days for the vendors to remove their wares. Hence, the MCD is granted time till 30th January, 2026 to take appropriate steps to inform the vendors of the directions of this Court. Thereafter, from the weekend commencing on 31st January, the removal of the vends shall commence,” the Court ordered. Further, the Bench said that after the encroachments are removed, the MCD and the Public Works Department (PWD) shall prepare a beautification plan for the area and allocate proper spaces for eateries, sanitation facilities and for some shops. .The Court passed the order while dealing with a decade-old petition filed by an organisation named Mahila Hawker Welfare Association, which had sought protection for its members vending near the Anand Vihar bus stand.After considering the case, the High Court said that the current manner of hawking in the area was “completely impermissible” and posed serious obstacles to public movement.It also highlighted the importance of Anand Vihar as a critical transport interchange used daily by lakhs of passengers. Therefore, the Court ordered the removal of encroachment and the beautification of the area. .Advocates Kamlesh Kumar Mishra, Swagata Gupta, Renu, Kavita and Mansi appeared for the petitioner. Advocates Avni Singh and Vaibhav Sharma appeared for the Delhi government. MCD was represented by advocates Rajan Tyagi, Vijeta Mukherjee and Samar Partap Singh. .[Read Order].Follow Bar and Bench channel on WhatsAppDownload the Bar and Bench Mobile app for instant access to the latest legal news.