Encroachment by hawkers kills Green Park Market charm

New Delhi: Known as one of the posh South Delhi markets, Green Park — which hosts both small shops and chains of multinational companies like Pizza Hut, Cafe Coffee Day (CCD), and Dunkin Donuts — is now encroached by tehbazari owners.

The residents said that the South Delhi market has started resembling like any other ordinary market and is losing its charm. “Encroachment is rampant here. Green Park Extension Market has one of the best footpaths. We first compromised and gave up 10 feet for parking. However, the MCD then allowed tehbazari, which is the biggest drawback of this market. The walking space has reduced and it gets littered every now and then,” said Sanjeev Dang, a resident of Green Park.

Under the tehbazari policy of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), hawkers are issued licenses to set up shops on footpaths and roads under the open sky. However, the residents said that out of all such hawkers, only a few have valid licence to operate.

“Under this policy, the hawkers were allotted a space of 24 feet. But most of them have occupied 60 feet and some even 300 feet. A few have set up temporary roofs and are living here,” said Mr Bhagirath Lal, the president of Vyapar Mandal, Green Park.

The market was established in the early 1960s. One of the most popular shops, Evergreen Sweet House, which is thronged by scores of people daily, was set up in 1963.

Reminiscing the old days, Mr Dang said that it was in 1984-85, during the advent of colour TV and VCRs, when Green Park became a popular hub of videocassettes. Those shops don’t exist anymore and many smaller shops have been turned into showrooms.

“Many multinationals like Cocoberry, Costa Coffee, etc have come here now. Many small shops, whose owners live just above the shops, still exist,” said Mr Dang, who also works as a cashier in Vyapar Mandal, Green Park.

Meanwhile, people still talk about a McDonald’s outlet, which closed down around eight years ago.

“It was one of the first few stores opened in India. It attracted a lot of footfall. It is still the number one favourite of kids when they talk about fast food. Now a Raymond store stands in its place. We are waiting for it to reopen,” said Mr Dang.

Both Mr Dang and Mr Lal said that the market has a lot of scope but has not been developed accordingly.

“We have plans to beautify it by installing fountains, lights, and Wi-Fi. This could be developed like Connaught Place. The association has spoken to the MCD several times. But to make it a model market, the illegal hawkers have to be removed. We don’t have problem with the ones who have legal paperwork,” said Mr Dang.