Fear Amidst Fashion: Traders Hit Hard as NDMC Continues Crackdown at Delhi’s Sarojini Nagar Market

Delhi’s iconic Sarojini Nagar Market, long known as a budget shopper’s paradise, is now echoing with frustration and fear following a series of anti-encroachment drives by the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC).

After the May 18 midnight demolition drive, where around 200 unauthorized stalls and footpath structures were bulldozed, a fresh wave of action struck the market again on May 22, sending shockwaves among street vendors and traders.

Hawkers in Fear as NDMC Tempo Returns

As the evening descended on May 22, traders braced themselves. Around 5:15 PM, a maroon-marked NDMC vehicle entered the market and began confiscating hawkers’ carts. Panic spread swiftly. Vendors scrambled to save their goods, but many, like Parveen Singh, were not as lucky.

“I came early to avoid trouble, but still lost everything. All my denim stock is gone, and now they’re slapping me with fines,” said Singh, who typically pays nearly ₹4,000 in daily rent to operate his small street setup.

“Only Small Vendors Targeted,” Say Locals

While NDMC insists the goal is to restore public walkways and reduce congestion, smaller vendors argue they are being selectively targeted.

“Big shops were tipped off. Their illegal extensions are still intact. We—near the gates and rear areas—were ambushed,” said a hawker who requested anonymity.

Licensed Traders Also Hit

Even licensed shopkeepers have alleged overreach by the civic body. According to Ashok Randhawa, president of the Sarojini Nagar Mini Traders Association, some legal establishments were damaged.

“NDMC didn’t issue any formal notices. We found broken hoardings and shutter damage on legal shops. This wasn’t a targeted drive—it was chaos,” Randhawa said.

Another shopkeeper alleged, “We had minor extensions approved earlier. Even those were removed without explanation. There was no due process.”

Officials Stand by Operation

Despite criticism, both the Delhi Police and NDMC defended the operation. On May 22, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (South West District) posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter):

“Joint Encroachment Removal Drive in Sarojini Nagar Market!! PS Sarojini Nagar, in coordination with @tweetndmc, cleared unauthorised encroachments to ensure smooth pedestrian movement and public convenience.”

The NDMC echoed the sentiment, stating that it was about “reclaiming space for citizens” through its “Mega Encroachment Removal Drive.”

Shopper Reactions: Divided and Distrustful

Public opinion remains sharply divided. While some shoppers support the campaign for better walkability, others call it “selective enforcement.”

“This isn’t about rules—it’s about influence. The vendors near the Metro are untouched because they pay off the right people,” claimed Shubh Tandon, a Delhi University student.

Muskan Tewatia, another student, commented, “Ever since malls started coming up nearby, we knew Sarojini’s street vendors would be pushed out. It’s been coming.”

Others welcomed the cleanup but asked for more organization. “Sarojini is vital for middle-class shopping. Maybe if vendors had fixed spots, it would be smoother,” one shopper noted.

Market Associations: “It’s All Optics”

Leaders from within the market community allege that the NDMC’s actions are largely symbolic.

“They claim to follow court orders, but real encroachments—especially around the DMRC Metro station—are left untouched. What we see is a show, not real reform,” said an official from the Sarojini Market Shopkeepers Association.

Despite the tension, the market remains open—but operates under a cloud of uncertainty.

Why This Matters

Sarojini Nagar isn’t just another market—it’s a cultural and economic staple of Delhi, especially for budget-conscious citizens. The latest demolition drives raise larger questions:

• Is the city enforcing anti-encroachment laws equitably?
• Can street vendors coexist with civic regulation?
• Are rehabilitation policies in place for displaced hawkers?

As municipal bodies attempt to reclaim public space, traders, hawkers, and shoppers remain stuck in the middle, unsure of where the next crackdown may fall.