Encroachments galore as Sahnewal Nagar Council fails to take action

Residents and commuters of Sahnewal are up in arms against the municipal authorities and police officials, who, they allege, have done practically nothing to resolve the perpetual problem of encroachments along the main market road.

With roadsides encroached by ‘rehris’, a little space is left for vehicles to move on the road, which is also known as the Kohara road. “No action has ever been taken against ‘rehriwalas’. After they are let go with warnings, they return in no time. Unless and until any strong action is initiated against them, the problem will not go,” said Surinder Sidhu, who runs a shop in Sahnewal.

“The traffic situation is in a mess to the extent that people from nearby villages literally dread the idea of visiting the town. You go to the town for 15-minute work, but remain stuck in traffic for at least an hour,” a resident of the town said.

Harbans Singh, another resident, said, “Some of old shopkeepers have permanently encroached the space in front of their shops, caring two hoots to the Nagar Council’s warnings. The traffic from over and under the bridge converges at a place, which has already been encroached by a shopkeeper. No power on earth had dared to remove the encroachments for years together. The matter has been brought to the notice of the authorities and the police department several times, but to no avail.”

The residents maintain that encroachments are removed temporarily, but no permanent solution has been found. The encroachers are allowed to go scot-free with a warning and they return again. “The encroachers act in connivance with the shopkeepers and the council authorities,” the residents add.

Sahnewal Nagar Council Executive Officer Vikram Kumar said the encroachers had been issued warning to vacate the illegally occupied space in the front of the shops. “They have been served notices and even announcements have been made through loudspeakers. Some of them have complied with the orders and shifted their goods within the specified area. Any shopkeeper found encroaching the road in one way or the other, will be penalised,” the EO said.

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