AGARTALA, Feb 9 (TIWN): Condemning over the eviction drive at Battala, resentment brews among the hawkers.

Reportedly, number of hawkers has set up their stalls on the footpaths of the battala creating problem for the pedestrians and making the road clumsy.

It has been mentioned that despite of prior notice by the Agartala Municipal Corporation, the hawkers are continuing their trades on the footpath.

“We are doing the business for prolonged many days as we do not have any other space to go and set our business”, said a hawker.

They have also urged the AMC to call off the eviction drive as it has affected hundreds of families dependent on hawking for sustenance.

Besides, they also urged that authorities that if they were allotted a space to set up their business than they will immediately move from the area. But as they do not have any space to set up their business they are bound to continue their business here.

Earlier, during the drive, around 50 hawkers have been evicted affecting over 100 people depending on these shops from the both road sides at Battala today. The eviction drive was carried out in the both road sides of Battala including Joynagar road no-1.

However, the eviction has created problem for the hawkers and their livelihood.

On the other hand, pedestrians complained that the shopkeepers and the vendors have been encroached upon the footpaths of the city from Post Office Choumuhani to Motorstand and also on the Battala bridge area leading harassment for the people.

Resulting the pedestrian had to walk on the road risking their life to danger. The problem does not end here, parking of bikes and cycle on both the sides of the road in the main city and also in some parts of the Battala.

The shopkeepers and the vendors extended their shop till the footpath area which creates problem in the smooth movement of the pedestrians and vehicle.

Almost every day the road witness causalities due to accident in the area particularly as pedestrian are forced to walk on road due to encroached footpaths by the garments store, hotels and fast food stall owners.

However, though the people are placing several complains but the authority is least bothered to take any kind of strict initiatives to remove the encroached area.