Encroachments galore as authorities look the other way
Doraha town is too stuffed up to give way to residents, pedestrians, shoppers, commuters. Reason: encroachments and haphazard parking of vehicles. The public, which commutes on the single market road of Doraha, is much in arms against the municipal authorities as well as the police department, whom they allege, have done practically nothing to resolve the problem of encroachments in Doraha.
Encroachments in Doraha town are a perpetual headache for the commuters as well as the townsters. With the protruding of the shops and the rehris on both sides of the only main market road, the town gives a horrific look.
The encroachments have messed up the situation to the extent that the people of nearby villages literally dread the idea of visiting the town any more.
The congestion and chaos have acted as a deterrent for the customers visiting the market. Balwinder Singh from an adjoining village Begowal rued, “Doraha town has been our main shopping hub for years. But for a year or so, we prefer going to Khanna rather than being caught up in the traffic mess. After all, who would prefer to waste time visiting a place which is almost always in the same chaotic state?”
The inconvenience to pedestrians, especially the school children and the senior citizens, is in no way less. “As we get off from the school and walk our way from the market road towards the bus stand, we are rendered pathless at a number of spots. The drivers never spare a thought for others and park at their will. A number of students like us have sustained major to minor injuries just because of the utter lack of space. The pedestrians just come in their way amidst the extended shops and the fast-running vehicles on the road, but why should anybody be bothered the least? It is after all the headache of the commuters who take to this road,” shared Ramandeep Kaur, a class 9 student who studies in a Government School in Doraha.
“The reduced carriageway results in frequent traffic jams and increases the risk of accidents, injuries and fatalities. The matter has been brought to the notice of the authorities and the police department several times. Temporary removal is, however, done but till date, no permanent solution has been sought out. The encroachers are left with a warning which only signifies that they can return at their will any time. These persons act in connivance with shopkeepers and the municipal council, otherwise the way they react back to the commuters and the shoppers is too much,” the residents maintain.
SHO Doraha Jaswinder Singh said the police department is helpless since the manpower is in no way sufficient to handle traffic mismanagement and haphazard parking. “Moreover, if the council undertakes markings, it would be easier for the traffic police to issue challans to those who fail to abide by the marked boundary,” the SHO added
Executive Officer of Doraha Municipal Council Doraha Harnarinder Singh said, “Road marking was done a month back. Moreover, encroachments are removed twice a week by the council. As a permanent solution, all the berm area is going to be reconstructed for pedestrians. The work shall commence in another seven to 10 days.”
