The Pioneer 14.06.2013
Anti-encroachment drive intensifies, 3 fined
(RMC) intensified on second day, on Thursday. As many as three
businessmen in Main Road locality were fined Rs 1,000 each on Thursday
for illegal occupation of the “sarkari territory” especially the drains
and the slabs thereon.
The drains in cities are covered with slabs. These slabs offer vacant
spaces. The shopkeepers use the spaces over the drains as extension of
their shops. Thelawalas also place their thelas on the slabs to market
their product. Sometimes people themselves cover the drains on their own
and use the places as an extension to their shops.
According to RMC deputy Administrator Shailendra Kumar Lal the
encroachment of spaces over slabs mars the beauty of an “unplanned city
like Ranchi and derail the “incomprehensive” drainage system. With the
arrival of monsoon fear of water-logging gripped Madhukar Gupta, the
Advisor to the Government directed to get the slabs over drains vacated
and drains de-silted.
Acting on the direction RMC constituted a team comprising security
personnel, engineers, magistrates, labourers and A2Z people. The
anti-encroachment (of slabs over drains) operations started on
Wednesday. On the first day of the operation Harmu bypass road was
covered.
On the very first day of drive many shops ‘cemented’ over the drains
were bulldozed. Thelawalas were shifted. On the second day operation of
the team intensified. At least three businessmen were fined with Rs
1,000 each for not complying with the de-encroachment directive of the
RMC.
On Thursday the team of RMC focused in the Main Road locality and
covered the span between Firayalal and Sujata Chowk. Those who had taken
the RMC’s directions seriously and chosen to vacate the slabs could
save their belongings those choosing to become the defaulters paid the
price. Halla Gari of RMC was also on intensive duty on Thursday. Halla
Gari is a mobile team of RMC that take off the buildings materials kept
on roads fining their owners and seizing their materials. On Thursday
the building materials kept on roadside in front of Hotel Capitol Hill
were lifted.
Today its attention time for the “encroachers” of Kutchary – Lalpur –
Kantatoli span as the drains and the slabs thereon across the locality
will be on RMC’s radar on Friday. “Our aim is to ensure that no water
logging happen as the monsoon intensifies in coming days. We will first
get the drains freed of encroachment. De-silting will follow,” Lal
said.