Encroachments haunt pilgrims at Gau Ghat

Sandeep Rawat

Tribune News Service

Haridwar, October 26

Among the problems of the residents of Gau Ghat (Ward No. 15), encroachments have been troubling them most for years. Markets and most of the streets remain overcrowded, and encroachments add to the woes of people, especially pilgrims. Though campaigns have been taken up to sensitise traders to the issue, these have not yield desired results.

Besides, residents have been demanding a drainage system here, but it has been laid only on the Valmiki Basti-Ramleela Maidan stretch.

Gau Ghat is close to Har-ki-Pauri. Major markets, such as Upper Bazaar, Shiv Moorti market, Bhola Giri stretch, Bada Bazar, Lal Tarau bridge fall in this area. Also the shrine of Maya Devi, Juna Bhola Giri ashram, Birla Ghat, Vishnu Ghat and other famous places are situated here, making the area abuzz with pilgrims.

Congested lanes and overcrowded markets, mostly due to encroachments, give pilgrims a harrowing time while heading towards Har-ki-Pauri from the railway station and the bus stand.

Councillor Aman Garg says he has been generating awareness among traders by involving local senior citizens and administrative officials.

Garg says he has put forth a proposal for the installation of CCTVs at Gau Ghat, Kusavrat Ghat for the monitoring of visitors before the Chief Town Officer of the Municipal Corporation. He claims that around 85 per cent of the area has street lights. There are only two parks in Gau Ghat, that too have been encroached upon by small scale traders and vendors.

Senior citizen Rakesh Aggarwal says the work of garbage disposal should be given to KRL Waste Management firm, a private organisation which is being given contracts of several wards by the Municipal Corporation.

Aman Garg says he held talks with Mayor Manoj Garg and local people, but Gau Ghat is mostly a commercial area. The firm charges traders Rs 150 each in commercial areas, whereas the fee is Rs 30 for residential areas. So the traders oppose the idea.

The councillor said the issue is being discussed as a mutual consensus should be arrived at to maintain cleanliness here.