PWD looks for ideas to prevent return of encroachments

NEW DELHI: The Public Works Department (PWD) of the Delhi government has issued instructions to its field staff to be “vigilant” and also invited suggestions to stop recurrence of encroachment on roads falling under its jurisdiction.

According to PWD officials, it is often seen that street vendors and squatters re-establish their kiosks on streets hours after they are removed.

The officials say that instructions were issued by the office of PWD’S engineer-in-chief RK Agrawal, after a meeting on the issue.

“The move will check return of encroachments on PWD roads in the national capital. Field staff remains active on ground and they know the reality better than anyone else. So they have been asked to give suggestions about how recurrence of encroachment on PWD roads could be checked,” said a senior PWD offi- cial, who did not wish to be named.

He added that suggestions have to be submitted to the office of the engineer-in-chief. However, there is no deadline for the same.

The field staff has also been instructed to report to the special task force, municipal corporations and to the police in case of reappearance of encroachment on PWD roads so that it could be removed immediately.

Anti-encroachment drive in the national Capital is being carried out at the directions of the special task force (STF) that has been formed by the Union ministry for housing and urban affairs for removing encroachment from public places.

PWD manages around 1,260 km roads across the national capital. It does not have the power to remove encroachment from its roads but provides logistical support like machinery or manpower to the municipal corporations for removal of encroachments on its roads.