**Tension Erupts Near Hanuman Temple Over Illegal Shops in Bhopal**
Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Tension broke out near the Hanuman Temple at 1100 Quarters on Monday morning when members of a women’s cleanliness group, along with Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) workers distributing dustbins as part of the ongoing Seva Pakhwada cleanliness campaign, were allegedly stopped and threatened by shopkeepers occupying land around the roadside green belt park.
According to witnesses, when the women questioned the 25 illegal shops, the encroachers claimed the stalls were set up with the support of the local BJP corporator of ward 48, Arvind Verma. In response, the women lodged a complaint with the Corporation’s encroachment officer, Srishti Bhadoria.
Acting swiftly on the complaint, anti-encroachment teams rushed to the spot and continued removing structures until late evening. The green belt park, developed by the civic body to provide a green zone within the city, has been overrun by illegal shops, raising concerns among residents and activists.
### Councillor Denies Role
Councillor Arvind Verma denied any involvement in the encroachments. He stated, “I have written several times to the corporation demanding the removal of these illegal shops. Most of them exist due to collusion with the encroachment staff. I want my entire ward to be free from encroachment.”
### Officer Confirms Action Taken
Encroachment officer Srishti Bhadoria confirmed that action had been initiated. “Our teams have seized goods and issued challans against some shopkeepers. The area will be cleared of all encroachments soon,” she assured.
The operation against illegal encroachments near Hanuman Temple highlights ongoing efforts to preserve Bhopal’s green spaces and maintain civic cleanliness under the Seva Pakhwada campaign.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/bhopal/bhopal-news-encroachers-threaten-bmcs-team-at-green-belt-claim-shops-belong-to-bjp-corporator
