Footpaths turned into 'extended shops'
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 18 2022: Shop-owners encroaching footpaths to display their wares to attract customers is a common sight in market places in Imphal and the same is more prevalent at Thangal Keithel, Paona Keithel and MG Avenue.

Shop-owners are also using different means to make their businesses stand out, often placing items on footpaths and on the roads and in some cases they extend their shops over the footpath, leaving little to no space for the citizens to commute.

Another factor which makes the movement of people difficult at important market places is improper parking of vehicles which occupies a large portion of area adjacent to footpaths.

Despite all these disruptions, the authority concerned seems to be taking no notice as many shop-owners continue to encroach the footpaths routinely.

Footpaths turned into 'extended shops'

From shops selling foreign goods at Paona Keithel popularly known as Moreh Dukan Pareng up to Khwairamband Keithel, many shop-owners routinely place all kinds of stuff such as blankets, carpets, tools, generators, utensils and heavy items to attract customers, compelling the pedestrians to walk on the road stretch instead.

Meanwhile at MG Avenue and Thangal Keithel, footpaths meant for the public are being used by many shops, automobile workshops, hotels and others as their work space or expansion of their establishments.

Such unauthorised use of public space has become a routine affair that citizens, at times, forget that there are footpaths for the pedestrians on either side of the road stretch.

What is interesting is that all these unauthorised use of public space is done right in front of law enforcers as many police personnel are deployed at these Keithels daily.

Speaking to this reporter, a market goer who came to repair her mobile phone asked whether any shop or individual can use the public freely as a large tract of the footpaths at Thangal Keithel have been occupied by private establishments to place their wares to attract customers.

Expressing desire for the Government to look into the matter and keep an environment conducive for the people to move safely whenever they come to market places, she added that the very act of the shop-owners reflects the indifference of the Government.

Another market goer said that shop-owners as well as the citizens must never forget that footpaths are public property and not private.

"Law enforcing agencies must ensure that even people with disabilities move safely on footpaths but the trend at which public space is being used in Imphal is upsetting," she added.