T Nagar hawkers back after 4 hours of eviction

In an effort to ensure free movement for the Deepavali shoppers, a team of corporation officials along with earthmovers carried out an encroachment removal drive from Usman Road in T Nagar on Friday. What shocked the team, which was continuing its drive in the evening, was those hawkers who were removed from Raganathan Street in the morning, returned to their ‘business’ spots. Interestingly, the entire activity was monitored by activist Traffic Ramasamy and not civic body officials. As only two weeks are left for Deepavali, the Greater Chennai Corporation has been initiating stern steps to remove hawkers from key shopping stretches in T Nagar. 

On Friday morning, bulldozers were brought to Ranganathan Street to remove hawkers and other encroachments. But, some of them were back within few hours of the drive. “Deepavali is the only time we will be able to make good money that is around Rs 12,000 in 10 days. On other days, I can earn only Rs 200 to Rs 400,” says S Surender, a sweet seller on Ranganathan Street. When asked about the drive, R Rahman, an apparel seller says, “They removed all the shops and hawkers on pavements in front of bigger shops to create space for pedestrians. By 3 pm many hawkers returned to their respective places with minimum goods.” 

He further adds, “Most of the big shop owners display their goods on the road. They don’t face trouble like us as they can easily shift them into their shops in a few minutes even if there is going to be a sudden drive.” Speaking to this newspaper, the activist said, “The hawkers had occupied a major portion of Usman Road (around the temple). After a strong complaint only, the corporation swung into action.” “I will come and check tomorrow. If the situation remains the same, then court is the remedy,” he warned.