Police, civic body remove roadside encroachments

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, January 22

The joint teams of the police and the Municipal Corporation (MC) carried out a big drive against temporary encroachments in various parts of the city today. After removal of the temporary encroachments, flow of traffic was looking smooth on the roads in these areas.

MC’s Tehbazari head Neeraj Jain said the joint teams of the police and the MC took action against temporary encroachments on ESIC Hospital Road, Field Ganj, Model Town, Metro Road, Haibowal Road, Scooter Market near Bhai Chatar Singh Park and various other areas of the city.

Shopkeepers and vendors were also given a warning against encroaching upon the road portion.

Neeraj Jain further said such drives would continue in coming days too.

He said a strict action would be taken against those who raise encroachments again. He said some shopkeepers staged a protest at Kochar Market to ESIC Hospital Road during the anti-encroachment drive, but the police then took necessary action against them.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Parminder Mehta said: “We welcome the action being taken by the police and the MC against temporary encroachments in the city. We don’t see any traffic snarls on the roads in those areas and markets where action has been taken against the temporary encroachments. The civic body and the police should strictly deal with those who encroach upon road portion in front of their shops.”

Seeking a relief for street vendors, Mehta said: “The MC should set up vending zones for street vendors at the earliest so that they can generate income to meet their daily needs without facing any inconvenience. Many sites are lying vacant in the city and vending zones should be set up at these locations.”