Though various civic bodies in the State carry out anti-encroachment drives off and on in the market-place, it seems like a temporary measure as the vendors resort to encroachment after a few days. It seems like a game of cat-and-mouse between the vendors and the municipal authorities. On Sundays and public holidays vendors are also seen displaying their wares along the side of the roads. At the Vasco vegetable market, encroachment has become a perennial problem. Encroachment restricts the movement of the shoppers and pedestrians may be forced to walk on the roads thereby putting their lives at risk. It appears that vendors resort to encroachment since there is no specific marking beyond which they cannot display their wares. It would be prudent for the authorities to have permanent paint markings on the pavements and the roadside beyond which the vendors should not display their goods. If the vendors cross the marked line, all the goods that are displayed beyond the marking should be confiscated. The confiscated goods should not be returned to the vendors even on payment of the penalty. There needs to be zero tolerance towards encroachment.
