6 days Ago By Rajiv Mani
Prayagraj: Residents will soon get a relief from road and footpath encroachments that lead to harrowing traffic congestion across the city during peak hours, with the new municipal commissioner of Prayagraj Municipal Corporation (PMC) deciding to run a special campaign against squatters. Municipal commissioner Seelam Sai Teja, along with the additional municipal commissioner, environmental engineer Uttam Verma, and others, inspected several localities and roads, including Balson Crossing, Bhardwaj Corridor and Anand Bhawan, and instructed the removal of illegal encroachments at the earliest. Teja issued a stern warning, stating that any attempt to reoccupy the cleared encroachment would result in legal consequences.
Recognising the severity of the issue, Seelam Sai Teja has also decided to impose a fine of Rs 500 for not keeping dustbins. Teja has instructed that two dustbins be kept outside the shops to maintain cleanliness. He said that those shops that generate garbage will be fined Rs 100, and Rs 500 if dustbins are not placed there.
Instructions were also given to make a lime circle around the dustbins. Encroachment has affected residents across the city, spanning major thoroughfares and narrow lanes alike. Commuters face significant delays, with short journeys taking considerably longer due to unwarranted traffic congestion.
The situation particularly affects office-goers and students heading to schools. The issue persists uniformly across both upscale and regular neighbourhoods of the city. The establishment of unauthorised shops along various streets, including MG Road, Nawab Yusuf Road and Sardar Patel Road has exacerbated the encroachment issue.
Similarly, movement has become difficult in areas such as Colonelganj, Old Katra, George Town, Johnstonganj, Leader Road, Kothaparcha, where residents struggle with daily commutes..
