Jaipur: As encroachments on city roads continue to increase and disturb traffic movement, JMC officials claimed they were taking regular action against squatters by conducting anti-encroachment drives. While the action taken by the corporation continues to remain insufficient due to increasing number of vendors, some officials admitted that it is due to lack of political will.
“Regular encroachment drives are conducted by the corporation, but despite that number of vendors is increasing because of lack of political will to remove them and provide them an alternative space to conduct their business. There have been attempts to remove shops and squatters near Lalkothi Mandi, but due to support from councillors and political leaders, strict action is not taken. This may lead to a law an order issue too in the city,” said an official from JMC-Greater.
With vendors encroaching, the road on the backside of Lalkothi vegetable mandi, piles of garbage and traffic movement cause problems to commuters. Many of the vegetable and fruit vendors sitting on the road outside the Lalkothi mandi are supposed to shift to Muhana mandi, but despite all facilities they have not shifted.
JMC-Greater deputy mayor Puneet Karnawat said, “Anti-encroachment drives are regularly being conducted by the corporation and councillors personally visit the areas to check encroachments, but we understand that the action taken is not enough. There should be comprehensive action on it and vending zones need to be clearly established. Encroachments have increased across the city, but our vigilance team is continuously working to improve the situation. Our vigilance team lacks proper staff and we at times use homeguards for such actions.”
The deputy mayor said the corporation will try to work with the district administration and police to remove such illegal encroachments in the city.
“Regular encroachment drives are conducted by the corporation, but despite that number of vendors is increasing because of lack of political will to remove them and provide them an alternative space to conduct their business. There have been attempts to remove shops and squatters near Lalkothi Mandi, but due to support from councillors and political leaders, strict action is not taken. This may lead to a law an order issue too in the city,” said an official from JMC-Greater.
With vendors encroaching, the road on the backside of Lalkothi vegetable mandi, piles of garbage and traffic movement cause problems to commuters. Many of the vegetable and fruit vendors sitting on the road outside the Lalkothi mandi are supposed to shift to Muhana mandi, but despite all facilities they have not shifted.
JMC-Greater deputy mayor Puneet Karnawat said, “Anti-encroachment drives are regularly being conducted by the corporation and councillors personally visit the areas to check encroachments, but we understand that the action taken is not enough. There should be comprehensive action on it and vending zones need to be clearly established. Encroachments have increased across the city, but our vigilance team is continuously working to improve the situation. Our vigilance team lacks proper staff and we at times use homeguards for such actions.”
The deputy mayor said the corporation will try to work with the district administration and police to remove such illegal encroachments in the city.
