Panic buster: Sarojini Nagar flea market is not shutting down

Stay calm, and carry on because just like the false reports of Hollywood veteran Morgan Freeman’s death, Sarojini Nagar flea market shutting down is another social media hoax.

Rumour had it that Sarojini Nagar flea market was shutting down. Stay calm, and carry on because just like the false reports of Hollywood veteran Morgan Freeman’s death, it is another social media hoax. Half-baked reports of our favourite shopping destination being shut down haunted many.

Vendors at Sarojini Nagar market. (Shivam Saxena / HT Photo)

As HT City team visited on Friday and found out, a few stalls that had illegally encroached space have been removed, even as most others are thriving. The removal is a precautionary measure as part of the Independence Day security arrangements.

Girls shopping in the market that’s known for latest fashion within Rs 100-200.

Zakir Hussain, a vendor, says, “Aisa har saal hota hai 15 August se pehle, security ke liye (This happens every year for security before August 15). We are selling, but have to remove our pile when NDMC comes for a raid. Footfall will get better after August 15.”

One of the shops at Sarojini Nagar market.

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Some shoppers welcome the decluttering. Rupali Kaushik, a student of Dayal Singh College, says, “I’m glad some hawkers have been removed as it gives us space to shop freely. Let’s face it, the market was really cluttered.”

Vendors at Sarojini Nagar market.

Parmod Sharma, president of Sarojini Market Shopkeepers Association, echoes, “The state of Sarojini Nagar market worsened due to hawkers. We had a meeting with NDMC officials and the police, and it was decided that according to a self-regulation plan, all illegal encroachment will be removed. And NDMC has so far been successful in removing the same. According to recent court orders, hawkers who have a license can only sell their goods. As far as illegal vendors are concerned, NDMC and police are trying to remove them from the market.”

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