SMC Conducts Anti-Encroachment Drive

SRINAGAR: Srinagar Municipal Corporation Wednesday conducted an extensive anti-encroachment drive in several areas of the Srinagar municipal limits days after Mayor Srinagar City Junaid Azim Mattu in a meeting passed directions to launch constant and sustainable anti-encroachment drives in the city.

Mattu whole speaking to news gathering agency KNS said that the anti-encroachment wing has to rigorously conduct these drives on regular basis with police assistance so that all business establishments/ shopkeepers/vendors desist from exhibiting their goods and articles outside their shops and in public spaces.

Acting promptly on the directions of the Mayor, an extensive Anti Encroachment drive was Wednesday initiated in the city.

The drive was headed Chief antiencroachment officer and was conducted in Eidgah, Safa Kadal, Saki Dafer, Karan Nagar, Kaksarai, and other adjoining areas.

The anti-encroachment squad cleared the encroachments done by shopkeepers and street vendors in these areas.

All the goods and displaying items outside the shops hindering the public space were seized on the spot.

Similarly, vendors / Raidiwalla's were dispersed by the officials during the drive.

“They have been directed not to occupy footpaths or any public spaces,” Mattu said.

“All those defaulters whose goods have been seized will legally follow the procedure to approach the Competent Authority in SMC for release of their goods, with a fine being imposed on them for occupying space illegally and creating obstructions in the smooth flow of traffic and pedestrian movement.

Commissioner SMC Gazanfar Ali who took a review of the antiencroachment drive will personally monitor the entire exercise.

He passed directions to the concerned officials that these drives have to continue in every part of the city and no street vendor or shopkeeper will be allowed to encroach upon public space or create hurdles in traffic movement.

“Their goods shall be seized on the spot with a fine recovered as a penalty from the violators,” Ali said.