VMC Shuts 5 Shops Over Roadside Encroachment

Vadodara: The Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) on Sunday shut down five shops over alleged encroachment on public roads near its headquarters in Khanderao Market, as part of a drive to clear roadside obstructions.

The action was taken within around 200 metres of the VMC headquarters, where traders had allegedly occupied portions of the roads with goods and other materials, obstructing pedestrian movement.

Of the five shops, three were found to have encroached on the road near Matla, while two traders operating agriculture and footwear businesses on Siddhanath Road were also found occupying public space. Their shops were subsequently closed and the keys confiscated by the civic administration.

The action comes amid concerns over widespread encroachments on footpaths and public roads across Vadodara, forcing pedestrians to walk on busy roads alongside vehicular traffic.

Meanwhile, the VMC’s Food Safety Department inspected five food and beverage establishments near Khanderao Market as part of a separate hygiene inspection drive.

During the inspection, officials collected a chocolate crunch sample from Gopal Bakery for laboratory testing and issued the trader a Schedule-4 notice over food safety-related concerns.

Officials also closed the kitchen of the nearby Idli Station restaurant after finding unhygienic conditions during the inspection.

DeshGujarat