Anti-encroachment drive in Udaipur fails as vendors quickly reclaim footpaths. District Magistrate Rinku Lather leads eviction operation on key roads, but residents demand stricter and regular action against illegal roadside encroachments and misuse of domestic LPG cylinders.
An anti-encroachment drive conducted by the district administration in Udaipur failed to deliver lasting results after roadside vendors returned to occupy footpaths within hours of the eviction operation.
For several months, residents of the town under Udaipur subdivision have been raising concerns about illegal encroachments along major roads, where hawkers and temporary stalls have gradually taken over footpaths meant for pedestrians. The situation has been particularly severe on Central Road, New Town Road, and Jamtala Road, causing traffic congestion and inconvenience for commuters.
Responding to the growing complaints, the district administration led by Rinku Lather launched an anti-encroachment drive on Wednesday morning. During the operation, officials removed several temporary stalls and cleared portions of the occupied footpaths.
However, the impact of the drive proved short-lived. According to local sources, many vendors returned by the afternoon and once again occupied the same footpaths, effectively undoing the morning’s operation. The quick return of hawkers has raised questions about the effectiveness of one-time eviction drives without consistent enforcement.
Earlier, the Udaipur Municipal Council had issued a notice warning roadside vendors that hawkers would be evicted if they failed to vacate the footpaths after February 17. Despite the announcement, many vendors continued to operate from roadside locations, openly ignoring the municipal directive. The continued encroachment eventually prompted the district administration to intervene.
Meanwhile, additional concerns have emerged regarding food stalls operating in the town. Allegations suggest that several vendors have been using domestic LPG cylinders for commercial cooking purposes, which violates safety and regulatory norms.
When questioned about the matter, Tridib Sarkar confirmed that inspection drives are being conducted to identify such violations. He stated that officials carried out checks on Thursday and assured that further action would be taken against those found misusing domestic LPG cylinders.
Local residents have expressed frustration over the recurring encroachment problem. Many believe that occasional drives are insufficient and have demanded regular monitoring and stricter enforcement to ensure that roads and footpaths remain clear.
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Citizens also urged authorities to create designated vending zones so that street vendors can conduct business without obstructing public pathways. Until such a structured solution is implemented, residents fear that the cycle of eviction drives followed by rapid re-encroachment will continue to disrupt everyday life in the town.
