The Deccan Herald 06.09.2010
Mandya: CMC undecided over footpath clearance drive
Mandya, September 5, DHNS:
The footpath clearance drive launched by Mandya City Municipal Council few days ago stopped it abruptly; and hasn’t resumed it so far. ‘
Infact, The Vice- president of City Municipal Council of Mandya M J Chikkanna who is also the in-charge president took interest in this drive and even successfully removed encroachments on footpaths adjacent to Visvesaraya road and other important roads in Mandya.
However, the dillydallying of CMC officials and elected representatives to resume this drive on much congested Guttalu road has puzzled people. Infact, the officials of CMC faced resistance from few traders on Guttalu road when it launched this drive in city.
Meanwhile, sources said that this drive would be given impetus only after M J Chikkanna, currently the Vice President of CMC, who is on a tour.
Speaking to Deccan Herald on phone, M J Chikkanna told the drive would resume on Guttalu road next week.
The officials of CMC have already completed 70 per cent survey pertaining to encroachment of footpaths by shop keepers, traders on this road already. Even, the cut-off line of 70 feet was marked and notice was issued to all traders to vacate voluntarily. Nayaz Pasha, a shop keeper on Guttalu road, said the CMC officials can clear encroachments any time as there is no opposition from traders. In another development, the residents of Mandya came down heavily on elected representatives of CMC and officials of district administration for not taking up any development works in the areas encroachment of footpaths cleared.
Meanwhile, CMC President Arunkumar refused to comment about the footpath clearance drive as he ‘did not have much information’ on this.
