Anti-encroachment squad gets active again

NAGPUR: After long period of dormancy, the anti-encroachment squad of Nagpur Municipal Corporation became active again. It has begun seeing blatant violation of rules and brazen encroachment of public spaces by big commercial establishments. The drive, which is going on full swing, is being supervised by civic chief Shyam Wardhane and supported by city traffic police headed by DCP (traffic) Bharat Tangde.Instead of getting active on city's fringe areas, this time it is the prime markets. On Tuesday, the drive reached Mahal area.
The squad seized three truck loads of goods from hundreds of vendors who had converted this busy road into a narrow one. The NMC demolition squad's action on Kelibagh road would surely bring relief to motorists. Clearing up of encroachments gave a good idea of the width of the road. Kelibagh road is one of the city's busiest and is a crucial link between Itwari and Ganeshpeth. It witnesses heavy traffic all through the day.
The NMC action got rid of hawkers on road, illegal extensions by shops- big and small - and roaming vendors. Backed by heavy equipment, the civic personnel began operation around 12 noon from Matru Seva Sangh maternity hospital and headed towards Gandhi Putla Square on Central Avenue. On the way, they removed temporary and permanent sheds in front of business establishments.
When some traders said they would remove illegally erected sheds on their own, NMC officials gave them time to do so. Many shopkeepers tried to protest but meekly retreated with officials standing firm. Both the senior officials monitored the drive. Many shopkeepers protested they were not given time to remove encroachments. The squad went ahead. Small vendors who had put up temporary stalls on either sides of the road disappeared automatically easing congestion to some extent.
Many motorists could be seen stopping to see the drive. Some told TOI they felt relieved and hoped for a smoother traffic flow. They also pointed out that it was for the first time NMC had effectively launched the drive in this area. Vishal Chavan, a resident of Shanti Nagar, said driving through Kelibagh road used to be a test of patience because of encroachments.
Shopkeepers admitted many of their ilk had extended the shops three to four feet on the road. "It's good that action is being taken but the authorities should also act against roadside vendors who too eat up road space," he added. Shopkeepers also questioned functioning of NMC's Gandhibagh zone office situated in this area. The drive covered internal lanes there too.
The squad removed encroachments from Nagpur rural Tehsil office near MLA Hostel, the patch between Variety Square and Yeshwant Stadium square. In these drives, the squad seized six truckloads of goods from encroachers.