Follow Us
Tribune News Service
Patiala, February 15
The Municipal Corporation (MC) has decided not to remove illegally constructed incomplete public toilet on a footpath in Choti Baradari here. Instead, the MC now wants to use the site as a bus stop or a place where commuters can sit in order to use the illegally constructed structure in any possible way.
However, people say the encroachment on footpath will continue to inconvenience commuters. The MC has left construction material, including sand and half-constructed public toilets, midway after concern was raised over misuse of footpath in Choti Baradari.
The toilet was constructed on directions of Mayor Sanjeev Kumar Sharma by encroaching upon a footpath in January. Its construction was stopped on directions of Municipal Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Khaira when The Tribune raised the issue of encroachment.
Sand has been lying on the road for over three weeks. It inconveniences commuters and can lead to accidents. The incomplete public toilet has become a safe haven for alcoholics to loiter around. Commuters and office-goers in the area have expressed concern over its misuse for illegal activities.
To cover-up the mess, the MC has now decided to turn the construction into a bus stop or a site where people can.
“We have discussed the matter and decided that the construction will be used as a bus stop. We will also install urinals here,” said MM Syal, superintending engineer of the MC.
When questioned that no buses passed through the area, he said the MC would provide facility for the public to sit as expenses were incurred on construction at the site.
Meanwhile, office-goers in the area raised concern over lack of parking space due to encroachment. “The area is choked with cars of commuters, car dealers and office-goers. They have diminished the already scarce parking area where thousands of office-goers and students come every day. If encroachment continues, the parking issue will only aggravate,” said Nishan, a worker at a hotel in the vicinity.
“The problem will persist if they construct urinals here. The MC has not been able to clear blocked sewerage. This will increase the parking problem. They should completely vacate the footpath,” said a trainer at an IELTS centre.