Corporation demolishes illegal shops at Palayam Market, crackdown to continue: Mayor

Thiruvananthapuram: The city corporation on Sunday intensified its crackdown on unauthorised structures at Palayam Market by demolishing several illegally constructed shops and meat stalls that allegedly came up without civic approval in the Smart City vending zone area.The demolition drive was carried out amid heavy police deployment after traders and vendors raised objections to the action.Corporation officials said the structures were erected illegally in spaces originally earmarked for vendors rehabilitated under the Smart City initiative. Civic authorities maintained that repeated warnings were issued before the enforcement action was initiated.Addressing a news conference later, mayor V V Rajesh said the civic body would continue strict action against all unauthorised encroachments and illegal commercial activities in the market area. According to the mayor, more than 100 shops constructed under the Smart City project are still lying vacant as there are no takers for the facilities developed by the corporation.He added that such shops also do not have any ventilation.He said some traders and vendors instead chose to set up makeshift shops, including meat stalls, without obtaining permission from the corporation. The unauthorised establishments allegedly obstructed pedestrian movement, affected sanitation, and violated food safety and public health norms.“The corporation spent huge public funds to modernise the market and rehabilitate vendors through the Smart City scheme. However, several people bypassed the system and occupied public spaces illegally,” the mayor said, adding that the crackdown would continue in other parts of the city as well.The Smart City redevelopment project at Palayam Market was envisaged to decongest the crowded commercial hub and provide modern facilities for small traders and street vendors.However, many of the newly built shops reportedly remained closed due to poor business prospects, location disadvantages, and disputes among sections of vendors over allocation and rent-related issues.Corporation officials said the enforcement drive was aimed at restoring order in the market area and ensuring that public spaces are used only with proper authorisation. They also indicated that further inspections would be carried out to identify more illegal structures operating in and around the market premises.The demolition triggered tension in the area for some time, though the situation remained under control with police intervention. Civic authorities reiterated that the corporation would not permit unauthorised constructions in areas developed using public funds.