GVMC continues ‘Operation Lungs’ in Vizag amid protests by vendors

A ample fig of thoroughfare vendors, shopkeepers, and others affected by the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation’s (GVMC) anti-encroachment thrust — Operation Lungs (Life to Urban Green Spaces)— staged a protestation astatine the Mahatma Gandhi statue adjacent the GVMC bureau connected Monday.

The objection was organised by assorted workers’ unions, on with the enactment of CITU and AITUC.

Raising slogans against the State authorities and GVMC, the protesters demanded that authorities ‘restore their lone root of livelihood immediately’. They besides alleged that their shops were removed without anterior announcement oregon warning, leaving them successful distress up of the festival play of Navaratri.

Leaders from AITUC and CITU alleged that the ‘Operation Lungs’ was a pre-planned determination by the GVMC and was executed erstwhile MLAs were engaged with the Monsoon Session of Assembly and the corporators were distant connected a survey circuit to North India.

AITUC person P. Ramana said that thousands of mediocre families had been affected implicit the past 4 days owed to ‘Operation Lungs’.

He demanded that the thrust beryllium stopped immediately. He besides accused the GVMC of forcing vendors to vacate their premises overnight, without providing them with capable clip to relocate.

“The GVMC claims that the thrust aims to wide footpaths and roads, and make the city. We are not against development. But determination has to beryllium a procedure. Why has GVMC failed to supply due vending zones?” helium asked.

Several vendors who joined the protestation said they had been moving their shops for astir a decennary and were forced to vacate successful a night.

P. Lakshmi, who had been moving a tiffin store successful Seethammadhara for 3 years, said she was fixed conscionable a time to vacate. “GVMC forcibly removed our cart portion we were confused astir what to do. I truly bash not cognize however to provender my household now,” she said.

Protesters raised slogans stating that they did not privation schemes similar Amma Vodi oregon escaped autobus services, but privation their shops beryllium restored truthful that they could gain their livelihood.

Meanwhile, the Operation Lungs continued crossed the metropolis connected Tuesday. The Town Planning helping cleared roadside shops and establishments astatine Maharanipeta.

The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) activists staged demonstrations, opposing the drive. It is learnt that the enactment leaders would conscionable the GVMC Commissioner connected September 23 and taxable a practice connected the issue.