The Pioneer 02.12.2010
Drive to remove encroachment stalled by leadersPNS | Dehradun
The anti-encroachment drive undertaken by the Municipal Corporation of Dehradun (MCD) has failed to yield the desired effect because of the interference of the State Government. According to Dehradun Mayor Vinod Chamoli, the State Government should also be concerned with removing the encroachment in the city, but the stance taken by the Government is preventing the MCD from removing encroachments which in turn prevent the effective and timely execution of different urban development works including the broadening of roads.
The MCD has been undertaking drives to remove roadside encroachment so that the roads could be widened. Considering the problems faced by the people from the roadside encroachments by shopkeepers in the Paltan Bazar and other market areas, the MCD had started a drive to remove these encroachments.
Though this drive was started before Diwali in Paltan Bazaar, it failed to have the effect. The drive was stalled due to protests by businessmen with the backing of some influential politicians.
The Mayor had then said that a meeting of the MCD officials, police and departmental officials concerned would be held in the first week of November at city Kotwali to chalk out the future plan of action regarding the anti-encroachment campaign. However, this meeting could not be held as a result of which the anti-encroachment drive in Paltan Bazar has fizzled out.
Sources say that the members of the business fraternity with the backing of the politicians have been able to stall the anti-encroachment drive initiated by the Mayor. When the MCD started the drive in Paltan Bazaar, the businessmen approached the court to get a stay on the removal of encroachment. However, the Dehradun Mayor is confident that the court will decide in favour of the MCD. The MCD is expected to renew its anti-encroachment drive in the market after the court announces its decision. According to the Mayor, if things go as planned, the MCD will re-start its anti-encroachment drive after December 5.
