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Journalism of Courage
A large-scale encroachment removal drive resumed in Mohali’s Phase 11 on Monday after several vendors, who had been cleared just days earlier, returned to re-establish their illegal setups.
Recently, the Municipal Corporation (MC) removed massive roadside encroachments created by fruit sellers along Phase 11. A street-side eatery, Chhatwal Tawa Fry, which had been operating right adjoining the wall of the community centre, was also cleared. Additionally, iron angles and grills installed illegally in front of houses on the ‘B’ roads of Phase 11 were dismantled.
However, officials found that by the very next morning, many of these vendors including the fruit sellers and the tawa fry shop had reinstated their encroachments.
With the beginning of the new week, enforcement teams again swung into action. Chhatwal Tawa Fry’s belongings were seized first, followed by the goods and carts of fruit vendors. Several other street carts and makeshift stalls were also removed on Monday.
During the drive on the ‘B’ roads, action was also taken outside the residence of AAP leader Babbi Badal, where unauthorised corner encroachments were removed. Close behind his house, the joint team of the MC and GMADA also cleared encroachments outside the home of a retired Haryana DGP-rank officer, removing illegal constructions built on the road corner.
Municipal Corporation Commissioner Parminder Pal Singh Sidhu stated that “no one is being spared and no favoritism is being shown” in the action. “All action is being taken strictly according to rules and the law. This drive will continue. Right now, work is underway on the B-roads, but in the coming days, internal roads will also be covered,” the Commissioner added.
Mohali will be made free of street carts within two months: MLA
Speaking to The Indian Express, MLA Kulwant Singh said that Mohali will be made “rehri-pheri (street cart-) free” in the next two months. He added that although regulating street vendors is the responsibility of the MC, the number of carts and stalls had increased uncontrollably over the last three to four years, severely affecting the city’s appearance and causing major traffic obstructions.
He said special staff has been deployed in the MC to remove these carts “on a war footing” and the drive will continue without pause. Kulwant Singh also appealed to street vendors to, “Get your licences and move around to sell your goods. Do not occupy main roads or market parking spaces”.
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