Delhi's popular Sarojini Nagar market witnessed a massive late-night anti-encroachment operation as the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) and Delhi Police removed approximately 200 unauthorized shops and stalls in a bid to reclaim public spaces for citizens.

The extensive demolition drive, which began around 11 PM on Saturday night and continued until 1 AM, targeted what authorities described as "unauthorised vendors, rings and encroachments" that had been obstructing pedestrian movement and compromising public access to the famous budget shopping destination.

The operation's scope was significant, with Ashok Randhawa, president of the Sarojini Nagar Mini Traders Association, confirming that between 150 to 200 shops and stalls were cleared from footpaths and various market areas. The extended timeline of the operation, stretching well past midnight, underscored the authorities' determination to complete the comprehensive clearance.

Video footage shared by the Deputy Commissioner of Police of South West District on social media platform X showed dozens of police officials systematically clearing the market area. The images captured vendors hastily evacuating the premises, carrying tables on their heads and loading belongings into tempos as the operation progressed.

The demolition drive has sparked controversy among local traders, who have raised several serious allegations about the conduct of the operation. Randhawa claimed that the damage extended beyond unauthorized structures, affecting legitimate businesses as well.

"When we came to the market, we saw that hoardings and parts of some authorised shops were also broken," Randhawa stated, highlighting concerns about the indiscriminate nature of the demolition process.

Perhaps more significantly, traders alleged that the police conducted the extensive demolition operations without presenting any official orders or documentation. This claim raises questions about the procedural aspects of the anti-encroachment drive and whether proper legal protocols were followed during the late-night operation.

Delhi Police defended the operation as necessary for public safety and accessibility. "Unauthorised hawkers and obstruction affecting pedestrian movement were cleared effectively. Cleanliness and public convenience were prioritised to ensure a safe and accessible environment for visitors," a police spokesperson explained.

The NDMC has positioned this operation as part of its ongoing commitment to urban space management. The civic body regularly conducts such drives under the banner of "clear the clutter for a better tomorrow," emphasizing their role in maintaining organized public spaces.

"Let's keep our markets open, safe and accessible," NDMC wrote while sharing photographs from the operation, reinforcing their message about the importance of maintaining clear pathways and organized market spaces.

This demolition drive reflects the broader challenges facing Delhi's urban management, particularly in popular commercial areas where unauthorized vendors often establish operations alongside legitimate businesses. The tension between economic opportunities for small vendors and the need for organized public spaces continues to be a contentious issue in the capital.

Sarojini Nagar market, renowned for its budget-friendly fashion finds and accessible pricing, attracts thousands of shoppers daily. The high footfall and commercial viability of the area naturally leads to encroachment issues as vendors seek to capitalize on the market's popularity.

The removal of 200 shops represents a significant reduction in the market's vendor population, potentially affecting both the shopping experience for customers and the livelihoods of numerous small traders. The operation's timing during late-night hours was likely intended to minimize disruption to regular market activities, though it has raised questions among traders about transparency and due process.

The NDMC's anti-encroachment initiatives are part of a larger urban planning strategy aimed at creating more organized and accessible public spaces throughout Delhi. However, the success of such operations often depends on balancing enforcement with consideration for the economic ecosystem that informal vendors create.

The allegations raised by traders about damage to authorized shops and the lack of official documentation during the operation suggest that future anti-encroachment drives may need to incorporate more transparent procedures and clearer distinctions between authorized and unauthorized structures.

As Delhi continues to grapple with urban space management challenges, the Sarojini Nagar operation serves as a case study in the complexities of maintaining order while preserving the economic viability of popular commercial areas.