An unauthorized weekly market operating in a park area reserved for the residents of Sector 19, Kharghar, has stirred discontent among locals. The issue further sparked an outage following Panvel Municipal Corporation’s inaction, helping the hawkers continue the illegal market without any fear, leaving residents frustrated over the encroachment.

In Kharghar, as well as Taloja Phase 1 and 2, weekly markets are set up on roads and open grounds without any permissions from the Municipal Corporation. The park area in Sector 19, initially reserved by CIDCO for community use, has now become a hub for unauthorized trading activity. A security net was placed around the park to safeguard the area, yet the market persists, attracting hawkers from various locations, including Mumbra, Govandi, Mankhurd, Mumbai, and Thane.

Reports from hawkers indicate that a fee of Rs. 100  Rs.200 is collected from each vendor participating in the market. The unauthorized gathering has resulted in overcrowding, leading to issues such as theft and creating concerns about law and order. The growing problem and the municipal administration’s neglect have fuelled the dissatisfaction of local residents.