Anti-Encroachment Drive in Old Gurugram; GMDA clears illegal structures along Sector 4/7 Chowk to Railway Station
*- Action taken to address the recurrent complaints received from residents of these sectors and also grievances raised during Samadhan Shivir*
*- Encroached space on green belts, footpaths and main carriageway cleared to improve traffic movement in the area*
Gurugram, July 25: The Enforcement Wing of Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) yesterday conducted a major demolition drive in old Gurugram which covered the 4 km stretch on both sides of sector dividing road 4/7,4/5,4/3A and 6/12. The action was taken to address the multiple requests submitted by the citizens of sector 4/7 and surrounding areas, as well as the latest grievances submitted during the Samadhan Shivir chaired by Deputy Commissioner, Gurugram, which emphasised on the illegal and rampant encroachment by hawkers and vendors along this stretch spanning from Dreamz Mall, sector 4 up to the Railway Station.
The complainants mentioned that many roads have been encroached to a great extent by shopkeepers by illegally extending their area up to the roads and taking-over the pathways. Moreover, several hawkers and khokhas are also operating illegally without any due permission from Municipal Corporation of Gurugram. It was further mentioned that a significant banjara population has also occupied space on the chowk of sector 4/7 wherein almost the entire road gets encroached and only a single lane is available for vehicle movement.
Taking strict note of these complaints raised by the residents; DTP, GMDA, Shri R. S. Batth visited the site twice with residents and also directed offenders at all such locations to remove the encroachment. During the inspection visit, it was also found that on one of the road lengths, few residents have broken the fencing and are using the green belt for cattle feeding and leaving behind the debris on the road rendering it difficult for movement of pedestrians on the stretch. It was also seen that many carts were operating illegally and wrongly parked vehicles were further a leading cause of traffic congestion on this stretch.
*Removal of unlicensed street vendors and illegal shanties.*
The anti-encroachment drive was conducted under the head of Enforcement unit of GMDA, Shri R. S. Batth during which the team which included MCG officials, Traffic Police and about 100 police personnels successfully cleared the encroachment found in front of approximately 350 shops on the main carriage way of GMDA.
Additionally, a huge number of shanties, shops, unlicensed street vendors who were operating without the permission of MCG along the 30-meter-wide Road and green belt of GMDA were also removed which included about 12 tea-stalls, 12 temporary shops and 38 slum huts (jhuggis). 22 vehicles were also issued challans for wrong parking by the Traffic Police Department.
“There have been repeated requests by the public due to which such anti-encroachment drives are being conducted across different parts of Gurugram. CEO GMDA has also issued directions to address the issue of encroachment in the city and to clear the green belts of unauthorised structures. We will keep conducting such drives wherein traffic movement is also impacted due to encroachment and we are hopeful that the public will continue to support us in our initiative,” said Shri R.S. Batth.
MCG officials during the drive also inspected the license of the carts and those who were found to be in possession of license or had applied for the same were not disturbed during the drive and were guided to park at the right place.
Prior announcement and intimation of the drive was made before carrying out the demolition and a close watch will be kept on the situation to ensure that none of violators return and occupy the ROW and green belts. A follow-up inspection was also conducted by DTP GMDA, wherein warning of strict action including filing of FIR charges were issued in case violators re-encroached the areas.
To curb the reoccurrence of such encroachment activities, approximately 250-meter fencing work was also started simultaneously on the green belt of GMDA.
Residents and the public present during the drive appreciated the action being taken by GMDA to clear the rampant encroachment and reclaiming the main carriage-way, green belts and footpaths for the benefit of the public at large.
“The drive was conducted in a smooth, peaceful and well-informed manner by the officials and such drives need to be continued regularly to ensure that the encroachment doesn’t re-occur again. Repeated action will further deter the violators from occupying space illegally on the green belts and roads which will greatly improve the traffic management in the area," said Yogita Kataria, a social worker and resident of Sector 4.
The Enforcement Wing of GMDA also recently conducted such drives at Rajiv Chowk, MG Road and along SPR to address the issue of illegal encroachment in these areas.