Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, June 14: Despite spending crores of Rupees on the restoration of footpaths, Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) has failed to curb the encroachment menace by shopkeepers and roadside vendors.
A top official of the SMC, wishing anonymity said that the huge amount of money was spent for laying the coloured tiles on footpaths in different parts of the city, which proved ninety per cent beneficial for shopkeepers and only ten per cent for pedestrians.
The official said that the SMC started a drive against the illegal encroachment last week but due to political influence of some shopkeepers, the drive against the encroachers was turned down and no desired results were seen on the ground.
“Almost 90 percent of shopkeepers in Lal Chowk, Jahangir Chowk, Hari Singh High Street, Maisuma, Batamaloo, Karan Nagar, Residency Road and Goni Khan are the some of the areas where foot paths are being encroached by vendors and shopkeepers,” he said.
While commuters blame that all this mess happens due to corruption and inefficient leadership qualities of SMC officials.
“It is unfortunate that neither the police nor the SMC authorities are taking action against the vendors and shopkeepers encroaching the roads and footpaths by extending their makeshift stalls,” commuters said.
Abdul Rashid, a mini bus driver said that the biggest reason of traffic jams in the city is due to illegal occupation of roads and footpaths. “The encroachment by vendors has narrow down the roads and people are forced to walk amid roads, which force us to drive our vehicles very slowly, thus adding to the traffic jams,” he said.
Meanwhile, SMC Commissioner, Dr GN Qasba denied any delay in the process of anti-encroachment drive from his side.
He said that the removal of encroachment is a continuous process and they are determined to carry on the drive on regular and sustained basis.
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