Encroachments lead to jams during rush hours in Amritsar

Charanjit Singh Teja

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, November 10

Tall claims of the Amritsar Municipal Corporation (MC) to provide hassle-free movement to commuters during the festive season have fallen flat.

Reason: Shopkeepers and traders were busy displaying their products by encroaching upon the footpaths and roads in the city. Narrow streets in the walled city get more congested after haphazard parking and encroachments by shopkeepers.

The footpaths at Hall Bazaar, Mashi Mandi, Rambagh, Katra Ahluwalia and Katra Jaimal Singh face similar issue. Despite anti-encroachment drive of the MC held in the last couple of days, the situation on the ground remains the same.

Not just street vendors, even shopkeepers could be seen displaying their goods on the roadside to catch attention of visitors, which often leads to massive traffic jams in the city. As a result, commuters get stuck for hours during the rush hours.

“The MC should take stern action against violators. When civic body teams visit markets, shopkeepers remove their products, but as soon as they leave the area, traders again display their goods. Heavy penalty and legal action can give some respite from encroachments,” said Kuljit Singh, a resident.

JP Singh, a resident of New Amritsar, said, “Shopkeepers should not encroach upon the markets as residents avoid visiting crowded places. They should ensure congestion- free markets so that more customers visit them.” Estate Officer Sushant Bhatia said they were regularly removing encroachments and violators would not go scot-free. He urged shopkeepers not to display their goods on corridors or footpaths.