Stern action against encroachers need of the hour

Ludhiana is becoming a congested city day-by-day and encroachment is the biggest root cause of this problem. There are various markets in the city where business totally depends on encroachment. Shopkeepers allow street vendors to use the road in front of their shops and charge money from the former despite knowing the fact that roads are not their personal property. As a result, massive traffic and fatal accidents take place, especially during festive season. Not just in markets, even property owners knowingly or unknowingly increase the limit of their house and encroach government or neighbour’s property. They grow plants and make small parks in front of their houses on government property. In order to end this trend, the government should make strict laws and along with imposing hefty panelities. After serving a notice, the encroachments should be destroyed if owners do not comply with the guidelines. Specific areas should be earmarked where street vendors can be allowed and entrance of vehicles should be strictly prohibited and only pedestrians should be allowed to enter such zones.

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RITU PRIYA

Private firms should carry out demolition drives

Every person has a right over his/her property and other assets. In some cases, we have a common right to use public properties, including roads, bridges, dams, hospitals and parks among others. The right of common use gets violated when one starts to encroach upon common property or property of government and restrict others movement. Roads and pavements in markets are often encroached upon by shopkeepers and vendors in general, especially on weekends, during festive seasons and for social and religious functions. Prime spots are encroached under the nose of authorities concerned. Sometimes officials have to stop encroachment drive due to political interference. There must be strict laws to handle such situation. The Municipal Corporation (MC) should allocate separate space to street vendors. Regular inspection should be conducted in the markets to check encroachment. The civic body should also establish a separate cell to receive complaints from residents. The charge must be given to a private agency to avoid political interference. Heavy fine should be imposed upon encroachers. People should cooperate with the government for hassle free movement of traffic. It is the moral duty of each and every citizen not to encroach upon any public space. Encroachers should not be given basic amenities, including water, sewage and electricity. Moreover, the government should award residents who inform them about encroachers.

DR MOHD SALEEMFAROOQUI

Adopt zero tolerance policy on encroachers

Rampant encroachments in key market areas have become a big headache. Due to encroachments in every nook and corner of the city, especially in commercial areas, navigating through traffic has become a nightmare for motorists. Besides, street vendors, including tea stalls and fast food hawkers among others encroach upon the pavements and usually create problems for pedestrians. As a result, pedestrians cannot use the area which is exclusively ment for them and instead used road which can get risky. The matter of the fact is that both shopkeepers and shoppers are equally responsible for these unauthorised encroachments. Residents have to understand that “Right of way” is an area between neighbouring properties, including footpaths and streets among others which are generally dedicated to the movement of vehicles and pedestrians. The law has failed to act as a deterrent as far as encroachment is concerned. Authorities swoop on violators once in a while, slap them with penalties and then go into deep slumber. The police have also failed to instill fear of law in minds of encroachers. There should be zero tolerance policy to remove encroachments from the footpaths, streets and roads among others. Moreover, there is a need to file public interest litigation (PIL) so that judiciary can direct the authorities concerned and Ludhiana MC to overcome the issue.

RAVI CHANDER GARG

Deal with iron hand

Encroachment is a big problem in the city. Be it a market or any religious place, encroachment issue exist there. This ill legal practice which goes on with impunity indicates that the local administration officials are hand in glove with encroachers. The first and foremost duty of the authorities concerned should be to keep a tab on encroachment activity. In case an encroachment takes place, then a legal notice under the Public Premises Act (PPA) should be served to the violator immediately. If the said encroacher is found adamant, then a court case should be filed against him in the court of the Sub Divisional Magistrate. After obtaining the eviction orders from the SDM, the encroachment should be removed or demolished with the help of administration and police. The only way to solve this problem is to act stern and take immediate action on encroachers so that others should not dare to do so.

BIR DEVINDER SINGH BEDI

Problem galore in cities

There are certain punishments which are reserved for those who encroach or grab private, government or common property. In India, encroachment is a very common phenomenon in both rural and urban areas. However, this meance is acute in cities as there is rise in population and decrease of natural resources. Encroachment is an illegal practice of using resources on which one does not have a legal right. Before developing ‘smart cities,’ the government should solve the issue of encroachment as it may lead to unplanned development. The encroachments have become a lively example of lopsided governance, selfish interest, and irresponsible citizen behaviour. There must be proper guidelines which the Municipal Corporation should get implemented effectively in the city. To remove encroachments, the MC should have a special wing which should work impartially and should not entertain political leaders. A separate area should be reserved for street vendors and fine should be imposed on the ones who encroach upon the public area. No one should be permitted to encroach upon even an inch of space. Each household should construct entry passage from his own property and should not use common property.

FARZANA KHAN

End encroachments and traffic bottlenecks

Traffic snarls and congested roads are a routine feature because of encroachments in India. Haphazardly parked cars, autorickshaws and scooters among others add to the problem. Finding a way through mammoth traffic and still making it to the work on time is not a small thing. It is rather a skill that everyone has to acquire not by choice but due to compulsion. Though the urban spaces are continuing to expand, town planners and authorities concerned have not been able to put in place a consolidated method to reduce traffic bottlenecks which lead to road fatalities and environment pollution. The government must encourage people to opt for bicycles and introduce electronic road pricing and space rationing system at maximum places. Tax should be levied on a car owner depending on the usage. Along with improving public transport service, proper lanes should be earmarked for four-wheelers and two-wheelers. Traffic rules should be highlighted and heavy fines should be imposed on violators. Cost effective and environment-friendly modes of public transport should be introduced. Last but not the least, walking should be encouraged to reduce traffic congestion, noise and air pollution.

DR JASDEEP KAUR

Keep a tab on encroachers, civic body staff

In order to stop encroachments the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation and Ludhiana Improvement Trust must become more serious in discharging their duties. The officers concerned must regulary visit different areas, instead of sitting in air-conditioned offices. They should identify the spots and take strict action against violators. Encroachments cause traffic jams and pose other problems for citizens. The role of police is equally important. Encroachment drive is always met with resistance and it should not happen that one defaulter is spared while the other is punished. A strict follow up is the need of the hour to ensure that encroachers do not occupy the area cleared of encroachment. The above mentioned departments should make sure that their employees do not accept bribe from encroachers and if found so, they must be severely punished. Another component is that residential properties are converted into commercial without permission. This is ill-legal and must be stopped as it caused loss of revenue to the state.

Dr G Dev

Maintain record of encroachers

The civic body authorities should tow vechiles and street vendors carts parked on roads and footpaths. Heavy fine should be imposed on violators so that they do not dare to encroach upon the roads again. Regular visits and supervision by the authorities concerned should be made a practice to ensure that encroachers do not return after encroachment drive ends. Fine should be increased every time a defaulter is caught and a proper trrack record should be maintained of encroachers. Legal proceedings should be intitiated if violators fail to mend their way.

Ritu Priya

Display ownership board

Encroachers even resort to violence to instill fear in the mind of property owners. It is advised to construct a boundary wall and put up a notice board displaying the ownership at the vacant plant. This not just protects the property from encroachment but also makes it difficult for unscrupulous elements to sell off the property to a third party by creating forged documents.

JASMINE KAUR BAJAJ

Shopkeepers should lead by example

Encroachment in various city markets is rampant. Setting up of temporary structures by street vendors to sell vegetables, fruits and fast food among others is a common practice on busy roads and markets, especially on Sunday. Even shopkeepers also set up stalls outside their shops to clear previous stock and sell other items to customers. All of this creates inconvenience to commuters and pedestrians. As a result, massive traffic jams can be witnessed which even lead to incidents of road rage. Authorities concerned should take proper measures to address this issue. They should serve a notice to defaulters and give them a stipulated time to remove their stalls. Government should provide a particular place to street vendors where they can set up their stalls. Shopkeepers should not set up stalls outside their shops just to earn extra profit or for marketing their products. They should understand that their one step creates big problem for commuters. The government should keep a regular check and should come out with strict rules against encroachment.

KALPNA MAURYA