Gwalior: Gwalior’s Maharajpura Industrial Area, considered one of the city’s key MSME and manufacturing hubs, is facing mounting pressure from alleged illegal encroachments, traffic congestion and rising safety concerns, with local industrialists demanding immediate intervention from the administration.
According to industry representatives, nearly 300 roadside vendors and temporary shops have occupied key stretches inside the industrial area, including areas marked as green belt in planning documents. Factory owners allege that vegetable sellers, meat shops and other informal markets have taken over roads meant for industrial movement, making it difficult for trucks, loading vehicles and workers to move freely.
The issue has been highlighted repeatedly by local industries, but factory owners claim that no permanent action has been taken so far. They allege that despite complaints to civic authorities and the administration, the encroachments continue to return, leaving the area vulnerable to traffic jams, pollution and law-and-order problems.
Industrialists say the problem has now gone beyond inconvenience. They claim that illegal structures are being built near factory premises, while commercial activity on roads has created disputes between vendors, transporters and factory workers. There are also concerns over alleged extortion, fights and criminal activities affecting the business environment in the industrial zone.
The Maharajpura Industrial Area is said to have an estimated annual turnover of around ₹500 crore and provides employment to a large number of workers. Industry representatives warn that continued inaction could hurt investment confidence and force some units to reconsider future expansion plans.
Local factory owners are demanding immediate removal of encroachments, relocation of the illegal market to a designated vending zone, strict monitoring of green belt land, widening of internal roads and stronger police patrolling in the area.
They have urged the district administration, municipal corporation and police to treat the matter as an industrial safety and economic concern rather than a routine anti-encroachment issue.
Industrialists say a clean, accessible and secure industrial area is essential for Gwalior’s MSME growth, and that repeated complaints should now be followed by visible, long-term action.
