MCB goes tough against encroachers

Sukhmeet Bhasin

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, April 27

The tehbazari wing of the Municipal Corporation Bathinda (MCB), along with traffic police officials, today removed temporary encroachments from Gandhi Market, Fish Market and other places in the city.

During the anti-encroachment drive, the vendors who had created makeshift stalls on roads, were displaced and warned of legal action if they put them up again.

At various shops, heated arguments were exchanged between shopkeepers and the MCB staff.

Manpreet Kaur, a visitor to the market, felt that such measures didn’t help much.

“These once-in-a-while actions don’t resolve the problem. These vendors and those putting up kiosks will be back again after a few hours. I bet it will be business as usual in the evening,” she added.

“A sustained campaign is required against these encroachers. The traders who allow these kiosks to be installed outside their shops must also be booked, only then the market will breathe easy,” she Manpreet said.

Subhash Kumar, a city resident, said, “A team of the police and MCB officials came and cracked down on the encroachers. We had been demanding such action from the administration for quite some time.”

An MCB official said a drive was carried out today in various markets to remove encroachments.

He said it was seen that many people had encroached the footpaths or space outside shop for personal use.

“We have removed such encroachments and warned the violators of serious action in future,” the official added.

It is pertinent to mention that the Municipal Corporation of Bathinda (MCB) has marked a parking slot for two-wheelers inside the market with a yellow line.

But many shopkeepers have encroached upon the footpath and parking area to display their products.