President of the Khalsa Youth Club, Sardar Vipin Preet Singh, has raised concerns about rampant disorder caused by shopkeepers and street vendors in Chandigarh Sector 26 market. Singh criticised the Secretary of the Market Committee for failing to curb the presence of illegal street vendors and encroachments in Sector 26, Chandigarh Mandi.
Many shops operate in unauthorized tents throughout the market, contributing to its deteriorating condition. The market, particularly the Mandi, has been embroiled in controversies for several years, with potato vendors occupying Puri Road near the police line gate and the second side, running hundreds of shops in makeshift tents.
The Sector 26 market in Chandigarh is plagued by a surplus of vehicles, lacking proper parking arrangements and the absence of market committee staff to manage parking effectively.
This forces people to park their cars on the roads and in front of shops. Street vendors outside the market’s main gate are in collusion, controlling the area and hindering pedestrian movement. Security employees in the market are occupied collecting vegetables for politicians and officials.
Singh, a regular visitor to the Sector 26 market, has witnessed such unruly behavior before. Shopkeepers and street vendors, who have illegally occupied spaces, prevent people from parking their vehicles, leading to public inconvenience.
Singh has previously reported these issues via email to the Secretary of the Market Committee in Sector 26, Chandigarh, but no action has been taken to date. On a recent occasion, Singh had to park his car in front of Shop No. 60, Grain Market Sector 26, Chandigarh, resulting in a confrontation with the shop owner.
Singh called the police, and upon their arrival, the shopkeeper apologized and promised not to repeat the behavior.
Singh emphasises the need for the Chandigarh administration to address these issues promptly, warning that failure to do so may lead to daily threats from shopkeepers and vendors, instilling fear in the general public. He appeals to the administration to cancel the licenses or take legal action against those involved in illegal occupations.
