Baramulla, Jan 19: To free the encroached footpaths and streets in Baramulla town, Municipal Council (MC) Baramulla launched anti-encroachment drive against shopkeepers and street vendors on Saturday here.
Witness said that a team of MC Baramulla headed by Executive Officer Wali Mohammad Wani started an anti-encroachment drive in Baramulla town during which illegal structures were dismantled using a JCB machine.
“The street vendors have squeezed the space for pedestrians and traffic in the town by erecting illegal roofs and other structures on footpaths. Besides, there is a mushroom growth of street vendors which have choked the already congested town,” said a trader Asif Ahmed.
Executive Officer of Municipal Council Baramulla Mohammad Wani said that despite repeated notices and warnings the shopkeepers and street vendors have made life hell for general public and choked traffic movement.
“We have no other option to start drive as illegal occupation of footpaths and roads by street vendors won’t be tolerated. There is mushroom growth of street vendors so we have to act now to end the menace. We had already informed them to leave place for making smooth movement of traffic in the town but they don’t listen,” Wani said.
“Unabated encroachment of roads and streets in main town here is causing immense inconvenience to the pedestrians while the authorities have been acting as mute spectators to the grave issue. Be it shopkeepers, vendors and hawker all have encroached the already congested roads, footpaths and streets and it has become difficult for us to walk on footpaths as these have been completely encroached. Pedestrians are forced to walk on the road making them vulnerable to accidents. Wrong parking of vehicles also cause inconvenience to the pedestrians,” said Er. Tariq Ahmed Magloo, General Secretary Beopar Mandal Baramulla.
The Executive Officer strictly warned the vendors and other traders not to encroach the road failing which legal action against them as per the law will be initiated. He said that the initiative will enable a hassle-free movement of people especially the patients visiting the hospital. He also urged people to cooperate adding that the step is primarily meant for the welfare and the safeguard of the people.
