Surat : SMC Cracks Down on Chauta Bazaar Encroachments, Mayor Warns of Shop Sealing Action

Surat | Gujarat — The historic Chauta Bazaar in the heart of the diamond city in Chowk Bazaar has come on the radar of the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) and the Surat police. An ultimatum has been given to the roadside vendors and shop owners to keep the narrow lanes de-congested during the day time for the vehicles, emergency vehicles etc. to pass or face the sealing action. 

Mayor Daxesh Mavani and Surat police commissioner Anumpam Singh Gahlaut visited the Chauta Bazaar on Thursday afternoon to take stock of the situation. Mayor Mavani communicated with the street vendors and shop owners using a loud speaker where he warned that if the shop keepers would allow the vendors to occupy their front area, then their shops will be sealed. 

Surat Municipal Corporation Mayor Daxesh Mavani is seen in action mode. After successfully removing roadside encroachments  in the Varachha area, the mayor has now turned his attention to Chauta Bazaar, which is considered the busiest and narrowest in the city. On Thursday, the mayor and Surat Police Commissioner visited Chauta Bazaar and personally held a microphone and explained the vendors and shopkeepers in strict words.

Recently, former BJP city president and leader Nitin Bhajiwala wrote a letter to the mayor and submitted that if roadside encroachment could be removed in Varachha, then why not in Chauta Bazaar? After this letter, the mayor showed personal interest and made a surprise inspection with the police commissioner and the municipal team.

Mayor Mavani, addressing the shopkeepers, said in clear words that we have come here to explain to you, not to force. You should not let any vendor or roadside seller sit in front of your shop. If the encroachment is seen in front of your shops, the municipal team will directly seal your shop.

High-tech monitoring will start with CCTC cameras in Chauta Bazaar

The mayor announced that now high-resolution CCTV cameras will be installed in all four directions of Chauta Bazaar, through which the SMC will continuously monitor from the control room. If the cameras show encroachments, the police and the municipality team will immediately reach the spot and take action.

The mayor was shocked to see the dirt in Chauta Bazaar. “It is not practical to block the entire road. When there is an emergency service (ambulance or fire) and an incident occurs, people ask the mayor “what are you doing?” fumed Mavani.

‘Heaps of garbage are seen on the road’

He said that Surat is number one in cleanliness in the country, but piles of garbage are seen on the road here. According to the JDO report, dirt is created here every day. If your customers are throwing garbage, it is your responsibility to stop it.

Do business peacefully, but keep the road open

The mayor assured the shopkeepers of his cooperation and said, “Our intention is not to close anyone’s business. Do business peacefully, the municipality is with you. But the road must be kept open. It is not reasonable for you to block the entire road.”

After this aggressive visit of the mayor, there has been a murmuring among the shopkeepers and rug sellers of Chauta Bazaar. Now it remains to be seen whether the problem of traffic and encroachment in this busy market will be permanently solved after the installation of CCTV in the coming days.