Ludhiana: Street food stalls have re-encroached footpaths near Guru Nanak Stadium and the Sports Authority of India (SAI) training centre, just a week after the Ludhiana municipal corporation (MC) cleared the pedestrian walkways.The swift return of temporary food stalls and roadside parking has triggered renewed concerns among sports officials, athletes, and local residents who use the stretch to access the stadium, SAI centre, and Rakh Bagh.Teja Singh Dhaliwal, general secretary of the Punjab Basketball Association said, “It is not for the first time that the stalls have returned and encroached the footpath of nearby area of stadium. The number of people who have set up their tents and temporary shelters is also increasing day by day which is a major concern not just for me but others as well.”Dhaliwal emphasised that the surroundings create safety concerns, particularly for female players. “The nearby environment is not even good for female players. This situation demands a permanent strict action otherwise temporary removal will not be very effective according to me,” he added.Local resident Amit highlighted the inconvenience to visitors, noting that pedestrians and non-vehicle owners are forced off the footpaths due to stalls and parked cars, and demanded immediate action against violators.Responding to the issue, MC officials assured that the site would be reinspected. Jasdev Singh Sekhon, assistant zonal commissioner with the MC said, “These stalls were recently removed by the MC considering the encroachment of the area, however if they have returned to the same location again, the concerned officials will be notified and the action will be taken accordingly.”“I will direct the concerned department officials to recheck the situation,” Sekhon added.
