Several makeshift fruit shops, operating for the past seven years in front of Al Shifa Hospital in Abul Fazal Enclave, were dismantled today as part of the construction of a boundary wall. These shops were dismantled to make way for a boundary wall being built by the UP Irrigation Water Department.
As news spread through the locality in the afternoon, concerned residents gathered. Two local leaders, Okhla MLA Amanatullah Khan and Congress leader Arfa Khanam, arrived at the scene, though many other leaders were absent. Surprisingly, former Okhla MLA Asif Md Khan and his Councillor daughter Ariba Khan were not seen at the spot, according to YouTubers who had rushed to the spot for media coverage.
Security was increased around the area where staff quarters have recently been constructed on land owned by the UP Irrigation Department. The shops were located just a few metres from where garbage had been openly dumped until recently. However, with the construction of the main gate by the department, dumping was stopped after years of being an issue. This area had also been the site of controversy involving the downfall of AAP Councillor Wajid Khan.
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Meanwhile, efforts by Amanatullah Khan to intervene failed to produce any positive results, as noted by Congress leader Arfa Khanam. Work on digging the ground for the boundary wall continued into the evening, with heavy security presence. It is important to point out that the land belongs to UP Irrigation Department. The road and even the nallah are the department’s property.
Fruit vendors were seen packing up their goods, including fruits and boxes. While they declined to speak to the media despite multiple requests, one vendor mentioned they had been operating in the area for the last seven years. Before setting up in front of Al Shifa Hospital, these vendors had been stationed at Okhla Head Corner. When the Abul Fazal Enclave Metro Station (incorrectly named Okhla Vihar) became operational, they were relocated for security reasons and had been selling from their current location ever since.
When asked about their future plans, the vendors declined to answer. One local resident, a regular customer of the fruit shops, expressed sadness, saying the vendors would be missed, as they had become part of the community, offering fruits at reasonable prices over the years.
These vendors used to even sell goats during Bakrid, said another resident.
