40 kiosks removed from Majitha road

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, May 17

The Municipal Corporation (MC) got 40 kiosks razed on the Majitha road in the early morning hours here today. A ditch machine was used to demolish the illegal structures constructed on footpaths near the postmortem facility and Guru Nanak Dev Hospital.

The encroachments had been inconveniencing the commuters as they had occupied the footpaths. A large number of illegal kiosks had come up on the stretch during the run up to the Assembly elections in the state. The issue had also rocked the general House meeting of the MC before the elections as some councillors were against the illegal structures.

Meanwhile, the encroachers said they hadn’t received warning from the MC. “MC employees started demolishing the kiosks early in the morning without giving us time to vacate,” said a woman. She said her physically-challenged son had started running an eatery stall. “We have no other means of livelihood. The government should help unemployed youngsters,” she said.

Meanwhile, MC officials said notices were issued repeatedly. The drive was conducted without any bias, they said.

Estate Officer Jaswinder Singh said, “Though most of the kiosks were locked, the structures were empty. The government has issued clear instructions against illegal structures.”

Duty Magistrate JP Salwan and officials of the Majitha road police station were also present. Residents hope that now the encroachments by bigwigs too will be demolished in the city. “Though people were trying to earn their livelihood respectfully, but MC action cannot be criticised. The MC should continue removal of encroachments, be it big or small, with the same vigour,” said Baltej Singh, a resident of Majitha road.