Illegal shops that blocked traffic on Pataudi road in Gurgaon razed

GURGAON: In an anti-encroachment drive to ease traffic congestion and restore road connectivity, municipal committee Pataudi on Monday cleared illegal structures along a nearly 2km stretch of Pataudi-Jatauli Mandi Road. The operation removed encroachments in front of around 200 shops and claimed up to 50 feet of public space.Backed by police and led by the district nodal officer RS Batth, the drive saw the demolition of nine illegally built shops and the removal of sheds, ramps and debris that had crippled traffic flow, blocked drains and hindered emergency accessAuthorities said the action followed sustained engagement with local stakeholders and multiple prior warnings. “Our focus is to improve mobility and ensure public convenience. It is also important to involve the community so that such efforts have a lasting impact,” Batth said.The drive comes after repeated complaints from residents about congestion, especially in the morning, when carts and spillover from the sabji mandi routinely block the road. An inspection at 6.30am confirmed that encroachments were obstructing traffic. “The stretch has now been restored to its intended width. Traffic flow is expected to be smoother,” officials said.Municipal committee Pataudi plans to work with local police to enforce proper parking and prevent fresh encroachments, officials said, adding that regular monitoring and follow-up drives will continue.Other officials facilitating the drive included executive officer Pataudi Sandeep Malik, municipal engineer Mukesh Kumar, building inspector Pardeep, planning assistant Shivani, and patwaris Ashok and Bajrang.