The Supreme Court Friday directed the municipal authorities to free roads, footpaths and public streets in Delhi from unauthorised hawkers and squatters within two weeks and formulate a policy for them keeping in view the welfare of general public.

While passing the order, a Bench comprising Justice B P Singh and Justice Arun Kumar warned that Municipal Corporation of Delhi, New Delhi Municpal Corporation, Delhi Administration and Delhi Police that they should not adopt the policy of pick and chose for removing the hawkers and squatters.

If it was found that the authorities have not taken the steps properly, then suitable action would be taken against the concerned officials under the Contempt of Court Act, the Bench said.

It made it clear that MCD and NDMC will file the compliance report within four weeks.

Additional Solicitor General Mohan Parasaran and advocate Sanjib Sen, appearing for MCD, contended that hawking and squatting was a long social problem as large number of immigrants were coming to Delhi every year.

However, the court said it could not allow the public land to be encroached.

The court granted eight weeks to MCD and NDMC to frame a policy for hawkers.

The scheme should include how and what types of activities will be allowed, it said.

During the hearing, the court observed that it want to make Delhi free from unauthorised hawkers and spoke about the markets in Lajpat Nagar and Sadar Bazar where footpaths and even some parts of roads are also occupied by squatters.