KL Report
SRINAGAR
Srinagar Development Authority (SDA) Saturday launched anti-encroachment drive in General Bus Stand (GBS) Batamaloo and Regional Bus Terminal (RBT) Panthachowk moving out scores of illegal vendors and squatters from there.
Under the intensive drive launched by SDA Enforcement Wing on the directions of the Vice-Chairman SDA, Mohammad Shafi Rather hundreds of vendors and squatters were removed from roadsides, pavements and other assets to facilitate smooth movement of traffic and pedestrians.
“Scores of vendors were removed from the entry and exit points of RBT Panthachowk to facilitate smooth movement of traffic there as their presence in the area which was adding to the chronic congestion there,” Rather said.
“Passenger buses, mini-buses and Sumos were also asked to operate from within the premises of the RBT instead of plying from the roadside.”
The SDA authorities also removed some temporary sheds from the marshalling yard of the GBS Batamaloo besides clearing fire gaps, staircases and bathrooms of various SDA shopping complexes of illegal encroachers.
“Under the renewed drive, we will be clearing all the encroachments from GBS Batamaloo and RBT Panthachowk and restore the public facilities to the original position so that people in general and the thousands of commuters in particular don’t face any inconvenience,” Abdul Aziz Khawaja, Deputy Director Enforcement, who led the anti-encroachment drive, said.
The Vice-Chairman has directed the Enforcement Wing of the SDA to ensure that no encroachments take place in and around any of the public facilities owned by SDA and the violators should be taken to task.
Pertinently, the State High Court has recently taken serious cognizance of encroachment of public facilities including roads, footpaths, bus stands and other facilities illegally by hawkers, vendors and squatters and has ordered immediate restoration of all such facilities for public use.
