The Pioneer 11.06.2013
Encroachments removed from Rajpur Road
After clearing the Paltan Bazaar and Gandhi Road of roadside encroachments by shopkeepers during the past week, the district administration, MCD and police resumed the anti-encroachment drive on Rajpur Road from the Clock Tower on Monday.
As is the case with most roads across the town, the footpath on Rajpur Road was also found to be encroached upon by shopkeepers. When the team reached a cycle shop near the Clock Tower, it found cycles and other related items placed on the footpath and roadside by the shopkeeper.
When asked to vacate the place, the trader claimed that he had the registry for the land in question but was not able to produce the necessary document. He was told by the officials to present the registry documents on the next day failing which he would be penalised. Similarly, shopkeepers along the Rajpur Road had placed various items on the footpath and roadside, leaving no place for pedestrians and causing impediments to traffic.
The officials faced some opposition from the traders but this did not stop them from conducting the drive. The team seized wares displayed on the footpath and roadside from dozens of shops and penalised others. The anti-encroachment drive on Monday was conducted from Clock Tower to Dilaram Bazaar. The locals have welcomed this drive by the authorities but have also expressed apprehension about whether this drive will continue and whether the footpaths and roadsides freed of encroachments will be kept so in the future.
