**Illegal Hawkers’ Corner Flourishes Inside Closed Smart Parking Lot in MP Nagar Zone-2, Bhopal**
Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): An illegal hawkers’ corner has mushroomed inside the closed smart parking lot of MP Nagar Zone-2, raising concerns among residents, students, and local traders. Food stalls and kiosks within this government facility are allegedly being “sold” for Rs 50,000 each, transforming the designated parking space into a bustling marketplace.
Originally intended solely for vehicle parking, the area is now teeming with encroachments. There are widespread claims that this unauthorized development is being backed by some municipal officials and local political figures, further complicating efforts to restore the premises to its intended use.
Despite repeated complaints lodged by students, traders, and local businesses—including appeals made via the CM Helpline and the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC)—little to no action has been taken so far. Sources reveal that when BMC’s anti-encroachment squad recently attempted to intervene, they were reportedly instructed to stand down.
Located in close proximity to several coaching institutes, the site now faces heavy traffic congestion from morning till night. Students and traders alike have voiced their objections to the growing hawkers’ corner, but their concerns remain largely unaddressed.
In a concerning twist, insiders claim that some members of the anti-encroachment staff themselves may have been involved in facilitating the sale or allotment of these stalls.
### From Parking Space to Marketplace: A Gradual Takeover
According to insiders, the encroachment of the parking lot unfolded gradually over the past five years:
– **2020** – Smart parking facility was shut down
– **2021** – Milk parlours were shifted to the corners of the lot
– **2022** – 2 to 3 temporary stalls and kiosks appeared
– **2023** – Semi-permanent shops were established
– **2024-25** – Number of shops reached 10+, with plans for more
What began as simple milk booths slowly evolved into a mini-market. By 2023, several semi-permanent structures were in place. The years 2024 and 2025 have seen the consolidation and expansion of this marketplace, effectively converting a government parking facility into an unauthorized commercial hub.
### BMC Officer Responds, Promises Probe
Shailendra Singh Bhadoria, Encroachment Officer at BMC, responded to the issue, stating to Free Press:
“In MP Nagar, action is regularly taken against illegal shops. We haven’t yet received specific information about this hawkers’ corner, but a team will be sent to verify the situation. Strict action will follow if illegal activity is found.”
As the investigation is set to commence, residents and concerned stakeholders await decisive intervention to reclaim the parking space and alleviate the mounting traffic woes in the area.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/bhopal/hawkers-hub-pops-up-in-shut-bhopals-mp-nagar-parking