Drive against traders encroaching upon Amritsar roads

In a concerted effort to tackle the persistent problem of traffic congestion in the city, the traffic police here carried out a large-scale anti-encroachment and traffic regulation drive over the past two days.

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Amandeep Kaur, along with traffic zone in-charges, supervised enforcement operations at several congestion-prone areas.

On Thursday, the drive was conducted along key stretches, including the one near Rialto Chowk, Ashoka Chowk, Shimla Printing Press road, Cycle Market near the railway station, Liberty Market and back to Rialto Chowk. Illegal encroachments by shopkeepers and street vendors on roads and footpaths were removed to ensure smooth vehicular movement.

“In order to provide relief to commuters, strict action was taken against unauthorised encroachments that were causing bottlenecks at major junctions,” said ADCP Traffic Amandeep Kaur. “Our priority is to keep arterial roads clear and ensure hassle-free traffic flow.”

Today, similar action was taken at Ram Bagh, Hall Gate, Sikandari Gate and from Gumtala Bypass Chowk to Meera Kot Chowk. Encroachments were cleared and traffic was effectively regulated.

Additionally, at the New Amritsar Chowk, where a flyover is under construction, officials held a meeting with the contractor and ensured repair of the damaged slip roads on both sides, which were subsequently reopened to traffic.

The police also set up checking points across various zones and issued challans to vehicles with black films, modified structures and those creating noise pollution, including bullet motorcycles exhausts.

“This drive will continue in the coming days as well,” the ADCP maintained.