Illegal encroachment by roadside vendors and hawkers on the road passing through Premnagar Ashram bridge has become a major issue since it is the main road connecting the National Highway to the city. Both the civic body and police keep passing the responsibility to remove these encroachments onto each other.
Residents of nearby colonies have long been complaining and demanding removal of encroachments but no action has been taken by municipal corporation or local police so far. With rising expectations after Lok Sabha polls, city residents are hoping that some action will be taken now.
There has been a rampant increase in the number of illegal hawkers who have encroached upon pavement and footpath leaving no place for commuters.
This leads to heavy traffic congestion during evening hours. Despite court orders to free the city’s roads of illegal street vendors the road and pavement of Premnagar Ashram bridge is taken over by illegal shops and vendors with carts selling eatables.
In evenings crossing this bridge becomes cumbersome since on both sides of bridge and the road leading to highway, there is considerable encroachment by sellers of plastic cans containing Ganga water and hang out places for youngsters.
The vendors even claim that it is their authorised site since they have not been removed by district authorities. Local resident Nidhi Bhardwaj said, “It is awful to cross that area while going back from office. Bikers park midway on the road and no one tells them to move.
Everyone likes to enjoy cool breeze coming from Ganga and enjoy ice cream but that does not mean, others should be stopped from crossing that area.
There are two places where motor bikes can be parked – near Matrichaya clinic in the empty space and Nehar Patri Marg but people park midway which is a nuisance. Traffic sense and civic sense is the most required attribute among the locals.” Similar sentiments were expressed by Harendra Garg, president of SIIDCUL Manufacturer Association of Uttarakhand.
He said, “Around 5 pm, it becomes so difficult to cross that bridge. Vehicles are parked on both sides, with people eating from roadside vendors. It is strange that even district officials cross that area daily but no one has taken initiative to remove those encroachers from there.
Complete plastic ban has been imposed by National Green Tribunal but still Ganga water is being sold in plastic cans openly. As many as 15 to 20 shops have come up in that small bridge over Ganga river which is major turning point from national highway.
The worst part is when any roadside vendor is questioned he proudly says that his cart has been there for past 30 days so no one can remove him.”
When asked about this, the superintendent of police (City) Kamlesh Upadhyay said, “We have many times launched anti-encroachment drive in the area but the vendors come back soon after they are removed. We will take penal action against the offenders now.”
Suggesting the solution, educationalist Vikas Goyal said, “The only solution to the problem is the extension of the Singh Dwar flyover encompassing the Premnagar Ashram crossing. But until then, may god be with you the next time you are at or around the Premnagar Ashram Chowk.
