Encroachments on roads a bane for city commuters

PK Jaiswar

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, June 30

Encroachments on the roads have become a bane for the residents of the holy city. There is hardly any road in the city that does not witness encroachments with shopkeepers having extended their shops on the footpaths leaving no space for pedestrians. Encroachments also lead to traffic chaos in the city.

The municipal corporation, the district administration and the police seem to have turned a blind eye towards the menace. Encroachments not only create trouble for commuters and local residents, but are also an eyesore for tourists visiting here from other parts of the country and abroad.

“Roads inside the walled city and in other areas like Civil Lines, Majitha Road, Batala Road, Putlighar and Chheharta have been encroached upon by shopkeepers and street vendors, leaving no space for pedestrians to walk. As most of them use political clout, no action is taken against them in this regard,” said Raghav Sharma, a resident of Putlighar area.

“In the Putlighar area, shopkeepers have encroached upon at least 10 to 12 ft of the road and footpaths. Also, vendors park their carts on the roadside while haphazard parking of cars, bikes, scooters add to chaos. Tandoors can be seen kept on footpaths by sweet shops. The situation is more worrisome on the railway link road,” said Saurav Kumar.

A police officer requesting anonymity said, “Until there is political will, there is no other way to end the menace. Whenever the administration and the police take tough stands, politicians come on the scene and create hurdles. “Vote bank politics nullifies whatever positive steps we want to take in this direction,” he pointed out.

DC of Police Jagmohan Singh said, “They can intervene when officials of the municipal corporation seek their help for removing encroachments,” he added.