In Indore’s Rajwada, allegations have been made at the Diwali time sale of puja materials without permission and the damage caused to the wall of the historic Rajwada are being questioned. Permission has allegedly been given to sell diyas and other worship materials, but stalls selling footwear, crockery, photo frames, carpets, bed sheets and rugs have allegedly been seen in the roads and footpaths.
It has led to doubts over the monitoring systems of Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC), especially in the context of the bigger effort for conservation and beautification of the area in the heritage zone.
The city’s administration had temporarily allowed the sale of puja merchandise by vendors during the festive season. But there have been reports that some vendors expanded their non-permitted business activities.
Roads and pavements are reportedly selling footwear, carpets, bed sheets and various other traditional items, which is causing traffic congestion on the roads as well as challenging customers’ ability to enter permanent shops in the bustling market area.
Currently, doubts are being raised whether the vendors got any permission to sell such stuff or the temporary market has gone beyond the parameters set by the civic body.
It was a serious issue that came to the fore on Sunday when a thick nail reportedly was used to hang clothes in historic Rajwada. The incident has brought into question the safety of the heritage building.
Incident has raised questions as to how such damage could be caused at such a historic site where conservation and beautification works are taken up.
The “encroachment” issue has also raised questions about the role of the Municipal Corporation’s removal department. Residents and stakeholders want clarity regarding the components of responsibility of monitoring temporary stalls, and compliance with any conditions allowing for their use.
The big one now is if the civic administration will take steps to remove unlicensed stalls or to protect their actions from destroying the historic wall, or if it will suffice to have a heritage area and not have steps to protect the important wall.