However, problems like encroachment of public space has drawn the ire of residents here. People like Chandra Ramani, who have been living in South Mada Street for generations says, “We demolished an 80-year-old house and built apartments. We had created a slope on the platform area to enable entry of vehicles into the apartment. But now with the new walkway in place, the stretch has been completely taken over by vegetable vendors. What is the use of this facility?” she asks.
Others like Sundaravaradan too wonder about the success of the project with so much of encroachments on the streets. “Even if the vendors are shifted to a new place, I am not sure if the civic authorities can ensure that they don’t return to occupy the footpaths again.”
Originally written for DTNext, read more at https://www.dtnext.in/News/Citizen/2017/03/22093141/1029611/Vendors-take-over-new-footpaths-on-Mada-streets.vpf