Demolished without warning: Inside the midnight operation that shook Sarojini Nagar

New Delhi: A surprise anti-encroachment drive by the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) at Delhi’s iconic Sarojini Nagar market has triggered outrage among traders, with nearly 150 shop extensions dismantled in a late-night operation.

The demolition began at around 11:30 PM on Saturday and continued into the early hours of Sunday, targeting awnings, signage, and shopfronts. The NDMC claims the action was part of its campaign to reclaim public spaces and ensure safer pedestrian movement. However, shopkeepers allege that even legitimate structures were torn down without warning, calling the operation abrupt and unjustified.

Traders allege no prior notice

Ashok Randhawa, president of the Sarojini Nagar Mini Market Traders’ Association, said, “They came after we had shut shop. Bulldozers were used to tear down awnings and signboards. If we hadn’t intervened, more damage would have been done.” He added that no formal notice was issued, and even regular shop structures were targeted.

Ashok Kalra, general secretary of the Sarojini Nagar Market Association, echoed the sentiment. “We had a meeting with NDMC officials just two days ago, and there was no indication that such drastic action was planned. Even our signage was removed.”

Traders argue that awnings and extensions are commonplace in markets across Delhi and are essential for protecting goods and shoppers from weather conditions. They also claim that similar structures exist on NDMC’s own premises.

NDMC defends its action

In a statement, NDMC said the drive was part of a broader initiative to enhance accessibility and ensure the safety of public spaces. “We are consistently undertaking anti-encroachment drives to ensure unhindered access to markets, footpaths, and public areas,” the civic body said.

The NDMC maintains that the cleared structures were unauthorised and posed fire and safety risks, particularly in overcrowded areas like Sarojini Nagar.

A landmark market caught in Urban tensions

Sarojini Nagar has been a shopping hotspot since 1951, famous for its affordable fashion. The area comprises several sections, including the main market (200 shops), Babu Market (120 shops), Mini Market (32 shops), and a designated zone for 104 street vendors.

Authorities have repeatedly raised concerns about illegal constructions, especially rooftop storage spaces that violate fire safety norms. While traders acknowledge these issues, they argue that efforts to regularise such spaces have been delayed by bureaucratic hurdles.

Protests planned

In response to the demolition, trader associations are planning protests and demanding a fairer enforcement approach. They are calling for transparency and consultation in future anti-encroachment actions.

“The council cannot keep punishing small business owners without giving them a chance to comply,” said a representative. “We are not against regulation, but we need a voice in how these actions are carried out.”

As tensions mount, the incident has once again highlighted the friction between civic authorities’ urban planning goals and the livelihoods of small traders in one of Delhi’s busiest commercial hubs.