Hawkers encroach upon NH wall in Prem Nagar, residents fear mishap

Dehradun

: The

encroachment

of a pushta

wall

being constructed by NHAI in

Prem Nagar

area of Doon has become a challenge for the administration. Locals claim shops with temporary sheds have come up on the wall, putting lives in danger especially during rains. A PIL has been filed at the Nainital high court, but no action has been taken so far, locals alleged.

Akash Yadav, an advocate and local resident , said he has raised the issue with several departments, including police, cantonment board and district administration, but nothing has happened on ground.

Talking to TOI, Yadav said, “The

pushta

wall in Prem Nagar along National Highway 72 has been encroached upon by people by erecting temporary sheds along it, which are being used as shops. Earlier, the hawkers would sit on footpaths. Now, they have erected these structures. Concerned authorities have been alerted, and I’ve also filed a PIL at Nainital high court earlier this month.”

Officials claimed the shopkeepers were asked to vacate as it was illegal to build any structure on a pushta wall or near a national highway. But few days after they were removed, the shops returned to the place.

Another local, Kamal Prakash, said “It’s not only this particular wall. The shopkeepers dump their belongings on the road, encroaching upon it and hampering traffic movement. Authorities must take quick action to resolve the issue.”

Gopal Ram Binwal, sub-divisional magistrate (Sadar), said, “The shops were there before the pushta wall was built by NHAI. We’re co-ordinating with concerned departments and a drive will soon be conducted to remove encroachments, if any.”


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