The only market in Suncity, Sector 54, Gurgaon, is so cluttered with grocery racks that it is impossible not to bump into them while shopping. Almost every shop owner has placed racks or stacked their merchandise outside shops, encroaching upon the market's alleys.
Residents have lodged several complaints about the problem with the District and Town Planner (DTP) - Enforcement, but there has been no action on this yet.
"When one shopkeeper extends his shop in this manner, others follow suit," said VMK Singh, a resident who owns a shop in the market. "I have tried explaining to them that it is against the rules, but they do not pay any heed. If, God forbid, a fire breaks out in this market, what do we do? We cannot even use the firefighting equipment, which is buried somewhere among these goods."
"We usually buy vegetables from Safal," said Sarla Nandal, a resident of Block F. "Since the shop has extended its vegetable racks well into the aisle, women are often seen outside the shop, choosing groceries. There is little space to move about in the area. There have been instances when eve-teasers have capitalised on the narrowed aisle and brushed up against the women shopping there."
When City Spidey contacted Rajender Sharma, DTP - Enforcement, he said, “I will get a survey done next week and see what can be done about the problem.”
