Kochi: Tripunithura municipality resumed its anti-encroachment drive against roadside vendors operating in notified non-vending zones, clearing a series of illegal shops and commercial encroachments along the mini bypass after a brief pause in the enforcement campaign.Led by municipal chairperson P L Babu, the operation saw the removal of large commercial establishments functioning close to the drain along the mini bypass on Thursday as well as unauthorised roadside shops that had encroached on public land. Officials said the drive is aimed at reclaiming public spaces, improving pedestrian safety as well as reducing the increasing number of road accidents in the region.The municipality launched a similar eviction drive in June but suspended the exercise after several vendors claimed they possessed licences issued by the civic body. Following discussions with stakeholders, the municipality identified three stretches as non-vending zones — the mini bypass, the stretch from Poornathrayeesa Temple to Tripunithura Market, and the road from S N Junction to Eroor-Puthiya Road.Babu said the civic body would ensure that fresh encroachments do not return to the cleared areas. “We will maintain strict surveillance and install municipal signboards to ensure that shops do not restart operations along the mini bypass,” he said.According to municipal officials, Thursday’s operation marks the completion of the first phase of the anti-encroachment campaign, which focused on the mini bypass. The next phase will target unauthorised structures in the remaining notified non-vending zones.Goods seized during the operation were shifted to the municipal office. Babu clarified that the ongoing enforcement is limited to the notified non-vending zones and will not affect licensed street vendors operating elsewhere in the municipality.The municipality also announced plans to establish designated vending zones within the next six months to accommodate eligible street vendors while ensuring orderly use of public spaces.
