GHMC Takes Action Against Encroachments at Nallakunta Vegetable Market in Hyderabad

On Friday, January 31, several vegetable stalls along the Nallakunta vegetable market lane near Shankarmath were demolished.

GHMC Demolishes Encroachments at Nallakunta Market Amid Protests by Vendors

Hyderabad:The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) demolished numerous footpath encroachments, including vegetable, fruit, and flower stalls, at the Nallakunta vegetable market near Shankarmath on Friday, January 31. The demolition was carried out following repeated complaints from locals regarding traffic congestion on the road connecting Fever Hospital and Vidyanagar main road to Sundarayya Vignana Kendram.

The enforcement wing of the GHMC, accompanied by police personnel, executed the demolitions. Officials stated that the hawkers had illegally occupied footpaths and roads, and no prior notice was required for such encroachments. However, some GHMC officials claimed that vendors were warned three days in advance. Despite this, several vegetable vendors, many of whom have been operating in the market for decades, insisted they were not informed beforehand.

“There are 120 temporary stalls on this road, and hundreds of families rely on these small businesses for their livelihood. Even in the past, this area was marked as a green zone by the GHMC,” said one of the affected vendors. During the demolition, hawkers protested against the state government, chanting slogans such as “CM down, down.” However, their resistance failed to deter the authorities.

The vendors demanded that the state government provide an alternative location for them to continue their businesses. Many expressed concerns over losing their only source of income.

The Nallakunta vegetable market road, currently about 60 feet wide, is set to be expanded to 80 feet as part of the GHMC’s plan to create an alternative route to ease traffic congestion on the Vidyanagar main road.

Interestingly, the demolition drive received minimal support from locals, attributed to the high prices of vegetables in the market, which is known as one of the costliest in Hyderabad. Additionally, no political leaders extended their support to the hawkers during the operation.

A few days earlier, temporary stalls near and opposite Sundarayya Vignana Kendram were also demolished as part of similar anti-encroachment drives.