Encroachments outside hospital removed

In a major crackdown against encroachers, the police, in coordination with the Municipal Corporation (MC), removed several illegal structures and rehris outside the Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) here on Friday. The action began around 11:15 am and continued for over an hour.

During the drive, the MC and police teams cleared temporary sheds, rehris, stocks kept outside shops, tables, chairs and other items that had been placed illegally along the roadside. The seized materials were loaded onto MC trucks and taken away. Around 20–25 officials were present during the drive.

Commissioner of Police (CP) Swapan Sharma told The Tribune that such encroachments outside a hospital could not be tolerated.

“A hospital is a place where patients, including those in emergencies, are brought for treatment. When roads are encroached upon, smooth traffic movement gets disrupted, which can sometimes prove fatal. The drive was conducted to send a clear message that no illegal rehris or structures will be allowed on the road,” said the CP, adding that strict monitoring would be ensured so that the encroachments did not return.

The officials also removed extended shelves and portions constructed beyond shop limits.

Meanwhile, the action took many shopkeepers by surprise, as several of them had not yet opened their establishments when the operation began.