Rajpath always meant to be hawker-free,says top cop Dadwal

He said there are several areas in Central Delhi alone,including Mansingh Road and the India Gate C-Hexagon,where hawkers can sell their wares.

“We are doing this to ensure the panoramic view of the Rajpath is not blocked — there are no hawkers allowed here.” In any case,Dadwal said,“NDMC gives hawking licences”.

Newsline found NDMC’s vendor licences do not specify place where hawkers can station their pushcarts,making it difficult to monitor them.

NDMC spokesperson Anand Tiwari said: “When NDMC gives out licences,it specifies that hawkers will sell their wares on the move. It does not mention any permanent place.”

Before the police began removing the hawkers on Thursday,there were some 50 vendors around India Gate and the Central Vista,selling peanuts,water bottles,cold drinks,balloons and ice-cream to visitors who come primarily in the evening or on the weekends. The hawkers pay between Rs 100 and Rs 500 every month to NDMC as licence fee.

But police officials said the vendors almost always station their carts at a particular spot on Rajpath — some have worked in the area for nearly two decades.

Besides India Gate,such hawkers are also seen around other NMDC areas such as Janpath Market,Connaught Place and Sarojini Nagar market.

Dadwal also said there were a number of “issues of concern” communicated to NDMC regarding the Central Vista. “Designated parking space is a matter of concern in the area,” he said. We have informed NDMC and have also suggested that additional space behind the water channels could be considered for it.

“We also told them that they need to look at proper lighting of the area.”

A senior civic official said while NDMC issues licences,rest of the upkeep comes under the jurisdiction of the Central Public Works Department.