Defiant hawkers back in Charminar buffer

Charminar : Following the relaxation to norms for hawkers during the Ramzan, inside the 'buffer zone' where Charminar Pedestrian Project (CPP) is being implemented, the issue has once again turned into a headache for traffic police. Like in the past, the hawkers were seen returning after a crackdown. When the traffic cops seize the material from any of them, the local Corporator tries to intervene in the matter.

The very next day following the Eid-ul-Fitr, the traffic police led by ACP Traffic (South Zone) G Naganna took up a drive against the hawkers within the prohibited area, where hawkers were not allowed to operate. But unmindful of the seriousness of the issue, some of the hawkers returned after a while and the traffic police had to resort to strong measures and as part of this measure material of some of the hawkers was also seized.

There upon tipped by the news of the crackdown, the local Corporator, Syed Sohail Quadri, tried to intervene. He tried to take up the case of the hawkers and argued that they be given permission to do business as usual. The Traffic police contender that under Court guidelines and as part of Charminar Pedestrian Project (CPP) the hawkers cannot be allowed to operate freely.

Later on, a meeting was held and the Corporator and ACP had discussion over the matter. The official explained why the hawkers cannot be allowed to operate on the Charminar premises. Later, speaking to media persons, Sohail Quadri said that there would be discussions with the local MLA in the light of Court order and the property which was seized would be returned, but hawkers must ensure that until the issue was resolved none should operate on the roadside.

"Following direction from MIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi I came here with the intention of resolving the matter. ACP also spoke to MLA, Mumtaz Ahmed Khan and we shall also take suggestions of former Charminar MLA, Pasha Quadri in this endeavour," he said.

Now that the Ramzan is over, the GHMC which has already earmarked and installed two-ft-high hydraulic bollards within 50-feet of radius will be implementing 'no-hawker zone' in the coming days. Preventing vendors, which is part of development works CPP, under SRDP (strategic road development programme), will be the priority.

These bollards would prevent not only vehicles but also all kinds of push-carts to enter the prohibited zone. The idea is to facilitate tourists and visitors to spend quality time at the historic monument. The municipal corporation already completed granite pavement works on all four sides in the buffer zone of the structure.