Illegal food kiosks promote liquor trade, cause traffic jams

Tribune News Service

Amritsar December 8

The nuisance caused by people drinking openly near Guru Nanak Dev Hospital (GNDH) lead to traffic jams on the city’s busiest Majitha Road. The entrance to the GNDH is hardly 200 yards away from the site and ambulances carrying patients prefer the same route.

Late last evening, an ambulance got stuck in the jam, when a drunk car driver parked his vehicle in the middle of the road. The owners of these food outlets have been running their businesses at the cost of human lives. All this frenzy usually starts around 7 pm in the evening and continues till late in the night and the authorities have been turning a blind eye to the problem.

People consuming liquor openly is a common sight in this area and food is served in the cars. Instead of taking action against the violators, employees of the departments concerned were also seen consuming liquor on the same site many times.

A major part of road is covered by vehicles parked randomly on the road. Shop owners put tables and chairs on the road in order to attract more customers, which causes chaos for the general public. These outlets are turning into illegal taverns and breed crime.

All this is happening under the nose of the excise and taxation authorities, the police and the MC office, but it seems the authorities are in a deep slumber.

The site is becoming a headache for commuters, as it makes them spend more time to reach their destination. I feel insecure while passing through this area.