Visakhapatnam: Traders in and around Poorna Market can finally breathe easy as district officials have resolved their long-standing issue of unauthorized hawkers occupying market spaces. In a coordinated effort, the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) and the city police cleared illegal encroachments, addressing persistent traffic and congestion problems.
For years, permanent and wholesale traders have complained about unauthorized vendors blocking market pathways. Although authorities occasionally intervened, the issue kept recurring. This time, following multiple grievances, District Collector and GVMC in-charge Commissioner MN Harendhira Prasad directed officials to take swift action.
City Police Commissioner Shankhabrata Bagchi, GVMC Zone-4 Commissioner Mallaiah Naidu, and local law enforcement inspected the area and implemented corrective measures. Their efforts led to the complete eviction of encroachments, much to the relief of traders.
Officials assured displaced hawkers that they would be provided alternative vending spaces at Rythu Bazaars and other designated locations to sustain their livelihoods.
Notably, in 2022, traders had shut down Poorna Market for 12 hours—the first such protest in its 90-year history—demanding action against unauthorized vendors.
