Port Blair, Aug 13: It had been a practice for some shopkeepers/hawkers to display their old stocks of everyday items such as clothes, utensils, shoes, plastic buckets etc. on the roadside at Aberdeen Bazaar for sale on the days of National importance such as Independence Day and Republic Day. Since these old stocks are being sold at very cheap rates, a massive crowd is attracted for purchase of the goods.
The situation from the point of law and order and public safety is very dangerous as any sort of rumour, quarrel, mischief or even an animal could cause a stampede, resulting in drastic consequences in Aberdeen Bazaar. It is also apprehended that if any fire incident takes place at the time it is impossible for the fire tenders to reach the spot and the situation then would be disastrous. Local residents around the area also complained of inconvenience and inability to approach or leave their residences.
To regulate law and order and also to facilitate the general public, decongest, pedestrianize the main Aberdeen Bazaar and keeping in mind the safety & security of the shoppers, shopkeepers, market place and residents of the area a hawking scheme was devised during the Independence Day-2011 and a new venue at ITF Ground was opened only for the hawkers.
It has been observed that the hawking scheme devised and active at ITF ground during National Functions have also started attracting huge crowd causing congestion to traffic and it is imperative that more such places may be identified for the hawkers to display and sell their goods during the occasional bazaar.
As such, it is notified that the Market/Bazaar on 15th August, 2015 after conclusion of the Independence Day function, shall be allowed at the second circle of ITF Ground at Dairy Farm, Anarkali Ground, Lalta Singh Ground, Haddo and Bathubasti Parking area for the occasional traders/street vendors/hawkers. These hawkers shall sell their goods/products from 6 am to 5 pm on Aug 15 under certain conditions such as Administration will not be responsible for any loss or damage to any material belonging to the hawkers during the allotted period, Functional/displays which may cause discontent to any community, caste, creed or sex will not be allowed and no hawkers shall be allowed to sit on road sides at any of the places for selling their goods,
Further, no shopkeeper/vendor would be allowed to put/lay their goods on the footpath/road between Clock Tower and Gandhi Statue during the Independence Day. Neither any vehicle will be allowed to be parked on the road during the period, said the District Magistrate, South Andaman, requesting the cooperation of the general public and shopkeepers.
