The Punjab and Haryana High Court took suo motu notice of the deplorable conditions in Chandigarh’s Sector 26 vegetable market and sternly addressed issues of sanitation, vendor encroachment, and regulatory chaos. The bench, led by Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma and Justice Meenakshi I Mehta, described the state of the mandi as deeply disturbing and emblematic of administrative neglect. The court observed that unregulated vending had spiraled into unchecked anarchy, undermining both public health and civic order.
The matter reached the court following persistent grievances about sewage accumulation, unhygienic food stall setups, poor drainage, and blocked pathways in the grain, fruit, and vegetable market. The judiciary expressed alarm at the lack of effective oversight by municipal authorities and the market committee, noting that residents and market users were forced to navigate hazardous and unsanitary conditions. It also criticized the disproportionate influence of vendor groups and unlicensed hawkers, exacerbating the chaotic environment.
The court recalled previous intervention regarding Sector 26, where similar concerns had been highlighted over years. In its latest order, the bench declared that it was unacceptable for the administration to allow persistent environmental and infrastructural failures to fester in a public marketplace. Justice Mehta remarked that the market had transformed from a regulated space into a symbol of impunity, where vendors operated with little accountability or regulation.
To address the situation, the High Court directed the Chief Secretary of Chandigarh to convene an immediate meeting with all relevant authorities, including the Municipal Corporation, engineering departments, sanitation contractors, and law enforcement. The objective was to formulate a consolidated action plan to regulate vendor zoning, improve waste management, repair roads, and enhance public safety across the mandi. The court insisted on specific timelines and measurable improvements, demanding accountability in execution.
Furthermore, the Court ordered a detailed report from the Municipal Corporation and the market committee on the total number of permitted, registered, and unlicensed vendors operating in Sector 26. It mandated documentation of sanitation efforts to date, details of drainage infrastructure, and protocols for managing vehicular and pedestrian traffic during peak hours. The court emphasized that this information must be furnished before the next hearing to assess progress comprehensively.
The bench also underscored the importance of implementing the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act. It required the Municipal Corporation to establish a dedicated vendor welfare cell responsible for monitoring licensed vending, preventing encroachments, and safeguarding the rights of genuine traders. The court directed that the annual registration fees collected from vendors should be retained in a separate budget head and utilized exclusively for their welfare, including provisions such as medical insurance and social support, in line with statutory mandates.
In recognizing the broader implications of the Sector 26 market issue, the High Court warned that if left unaddressed, such municipal dysfunction would erode public trust in local governance and discourage formal market activity. It expressed that Chandigarh’s citizens should not have to endure abysmal public infrastructure in spaces integral to daily life. The court also cautioned against allowing pseudo-legal petitions by elite associations to seek eviction of legitimate small vendors, emphasizing equitable urban governance.
Given the gravity of the situation, the Court scheduled follow-up hearings to monitor compliance. It made clear that the undertaking would be closely supervised, and any failure to deliver tangible results could lead to further judicial interventions. Pending outcomes of the meetings and administrative responses, the court retained jurisdiction to ensure Sector 26 is rehabilitated as a safe, orderly, and hygienic public marketplace consistent with Chandigarh’s civic character.
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