Encroachments on Mall Road irk residents

Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, February 21

Residents of the town are upset over large-scale encroachments by street vendors on the Mall Road. Vendors install stalls on roadside, making the road narrower and inconveniencing commuters.

They say the Municipal Council is apathetic towards the issue “that’s why encroachers are having a field day”. Encroachments are a common sight not only on the Mall Road, but also in Landour Bazaar.

Dhan Prakash, a senior citizen, says the Mall Road looks like Chandni Chowk of Delhi with street vendors selling goods on the roadside, thus denting the image of the tourist town. The bicycle business has also added to the woes of commuters as rent-a-bike service owners park their bicycles on the Mall Rroad, he said.

Meanwhile, NS Rana, Executive Officer of the Municipal Council, said anti-encroachment drives had been carried out in the past and goods of street vendors had been confiscated. “Such drives will be conducted again to check encroachment,” he added.