Manimajra, Chandigarh’s most densely populated area, continues to suffer from severe encroachment despite a recent removal drive by the Municipal Corporation. The worst-hit area is the Manimajra bus stand, where fruit and other vendors have expanded from footpaths onto the main road, using government paver blocks to set up stalls. This has created a traffic bottleneck and a dangerous “Blind Corner” for commuters.
Social worker Mahant Parmeshwar Giri alleged that even licensed vendors are violating rules by misusing government material. Malkit Singh, president of the Manimajra Vyapar Mandal, said ESP permissions issued during COVID-19 to support livelihoods are now being misused, with vendors refusing to shift to the designated modern complex, rehri market, or the new vendor zone near Children’s Park. He also claimed that some political leaders are supporting these violations.
Social worker Kulwant Singh Jagga added that locals who complain are threatened, citing a recent stabbing incident near the bus stand as an example of the deteriorating law and order. Residents demand immediate relocation of all licensed vendors, declaration of no-vending zones, and strict FIRs against vendors involved in hooliganism.
