Jamshedpur: Large-scale encroachment by vendors across Sakchi market has become a major concern for both residents and shopkeepers. After a brief gap of around 10 days, hawkers have returned and once again occupied key areas, including designated parking spaces.Over time, encroachers have taken over nearly 90% of the internal roads, making movement through the market extremely difficult.“Hawkers have blocked all entry and exit points. Even walking is a challenge, let alone using two- or four-wheelers, as vendors occupy almost every inch of the road in Sakchi. This chaos also provides opportunities for mobile snatchers and pickpockets. I was a victim just a few weeks ago,” said teacher Oindrila Datta.“It is becoming nearly impossible to access most of the major shops as vendors occupy the entire pathways. I now avoid going to Sakchi altogether. Some vendors even resort to abuse when asked to make space. In case of a fire, evacuation would be extremely difficult, and fire engines would struggle to reach the spot. To make matters worse, fire hydrants are being used by vendors to set up stalls,” said banker Ramesh Singh.Notably, Sakchi market has witnessed four fire incidents in the past five years. The market houses more than 1,000 large and small shops.Former president of the Singhbhum Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Vijay Anand Moonka, said, “Due to widespread encroachment, shop owners who pay crores in taxes are suffering. Customers are reluctant to visit because access roads are blocked. Many businesses are incurring heavy losses, and some have even shut down.”Rohit, a third-generation owner of a watch shop in Sakchi, told TOI, “Our sales have steadily declined over the years. Many of our regular customers say they find it extremely difficult to enter the market. Parking spaces are occupied by vendors. While encroachers pay no taxes and continue to earn, we taxpayers are facing losses.”He added, “Five years ago, I had two employees, but now I have none as I can no longer afford their salaries. Meanwhile, many vendors earn over Rs 3,000 daily. There are more than 2,000 such vendors across the market.”Meanwhile, a section of shop owners staged a protest on Tuesday, expressing their anger over encroachment in Sakchi and other parts of the city.In the past, the administration—under the leadership of the deputy town commissioner of the Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee, Krishna Kumar—has made several attempts to remove encroachments from Sakchi market. However, most efforts have failed to produce lasting results.
