‘MCB conveniently allow encroachments’
Suhail Rather
Bandipora, January 18: To cross 500 metre distance in Bandipora Market, it takes more than an hour, no matter you are travelling in a car or on foot, Thanks to the encroachments by the shopkeepers on footpaths and street vendors on the roads.
The authorities of Municipal council Bandipora have miserably failed to remove encroachment from either side of footpaths and roads in Bandipora market thus effecting the vehicular pedestrian movement in Bandipora Market especially at Gulshan Chowk.
Locals say the women folk and children are always at risk while walking on the road as the footpaths are encroached by the shopkeepers and vendors and Municipal Council Bandipora seem to be allowing the encroachments as no action is being taken by them despite their officials being present in the town all day.
Rayees Ahmad, member of Traders Federation Bandipora said the encroachment of footpaths poses risk of accidents as pedestrians have to walk on roads. He said authorities must take immediate measures and ensure roads are not encroached upon.
From pavements meant for pedestrians to markets, encroachments dot the township while locals allege concerned officials in Bandipora Municipality are running into “nexus’’ with the encroachers.
Surprisingly local residents said the Municipal Council Bandipora is legalising encroachments by collecting fees from the vendors who have installed their stalls on roads therby encroaching it while MCB is providing legal protection to them.
Locals said that the street vendors should be given a particular spot in the town so that the normal business and traffic is not halted on the busy roads.
With the increasing traffic in the town, though the administration had decided to divert the light vehicular traffic through Khadim market, However the whole stretch of Khadim Market has been encroached by the shopkeepers while MCB failed to even issue notices to the encroachers. Locals said if the Khadim Market is opened for light vehicles, the frequent traffic jams on main road will be reduced to a larger extent.
Authorities always claimed to have launched anti-encroachment drives but these claims proved to be hoax. Residents alleged the Municipal officials are taking bribe from shopkeepers who have turned their shops into stores and are using footpaths to display their wares.
Locals said Chief Executive Officer MCB Bandipora seem to be totally unaware about encroachment and traffic mess in the heart of town and appealed Deputy Commissioner Bandipora to look into the matter.
