The Hindu                04.06.2013

Lack of will

The law-enforcing agencies display a lack of will in checking encroachments on the footpath.

Corporation
officials say they need adequate support from the police, because once
they conduct raids and seize the goods and articles, the shopkeepers
return the next day.

M. Rakkappan, City Town Planning
Officer, Madurai Corporation, agrees that there is large-scale
violation in terms of encroachment of pavements but sought the help of
the media to sensitise the public to claim their rights, and shopkeepers
to understand the rights of pedestrians.

Though the
district administration is keen to eradicate this scourge, it has not
been successful because there is no proper coordination within the
government agencies, he points out.

Deputy
Commissioner of Police (Crime and Traffic), K. Feroze Khan Abdullah,
says that concerted efforts are being made to make the city more
friendly to pedestrians. However, it is the licensed shopowners who
violate and encroach upon the footpath space.

“We
have set a target and each week we choose a street and clear
encroachments to provide proper access to the footpath. Presently, we
are involved in clearing North Masi Street of encroachments,” he said.

Mutual responsibility is needed among government agencies to protect the pedestrians’ right to footpath space, he stresses.