Punjab: Encroachment and poor planning a curse for Gurdaspur
Punjab: The ongoing drive against encroachment in the city has led to a massive change in the traffic system, so the district administration has decided to regularise it. Deputy Commissioner (DC) Uma Shankar Gupta confirmed that recently an initiative was taken to remove illegal constructions from several markets, which will be continued in future as well. The administration is acting on complaints received from various areas. The complaints stated that it has become almost impossible for locals to pass through some markets due to illegal constructions. Last fortnight, ADC (general) Harjinder Singh Bedi and municipal committee executive officer Bhupinder Singh carried out a drive, following which shopkeepers were told to either remove their goods or face action.
Violators were served notices to mend their behaviour, but to no avail. Later, the ADC and MC staff removed the constructions in the wee hours. Some politicians were not very happy with what the administration was doing, but their voices were drowned in the roar of the bulldozers. This was followed by a protest by the guilty shopkeepers. However, the drive was soon called off after some residents said there was no point in staging such protests when they themselves had created the situation. The initiative was taken up in areas from where maximum complaints had come in. These places were Library Chowk, Machli Bazar, GT Road, Jail Road, Jahaz Chowk and Old Bus Stand. Gurdaspur district headquarters is not the only place where the anti-encroachment drive has been launched. Suburbs like Qadian, Batala, Sri Hargobindpur, Fatehgarh Churian and Dera Baba Nanak are also being brought under surveillance.
Rehris cause chaos
In Gurdaspur city, hawkers are most responsible for chaos on roads. Gurdaspur Vyapar Mandal president Darshan Mahajan said if the administration earmarks space for hawkers, the situation can be sorted out. “Old bus stand can be given to hawkers, after which half of the administration’s problems will be solved,” he said. Basements remain the city’s weakness. Almost all the basements of buildings have been passed by the Municipal Corporation with clear instructions to use them for parking. However, the building owners never used the basements for parking but used it for commercial purposes. In the past, some bureaucrats had issued notices to the basement owners. However, their enthusiasm and excitement soon waned due to the pressure exerted on them by politicians. “If the encroachers are the voters of these politicians, the basement owners are their moneybags,” said an official. Incidents of school buses and even ambulances getting stuck in traffic jams had become common. This development caused a lot of trouble to the residents. Now, these people can heave a sigh of relief after the administration’s ambitious drive to remove traffic obstructions.
Bhai Lalo Chowk was demolished on the demand of the locals as it was causing traffic obstruction. Apart from this, there are many other structures which are also likely to be demolished as they are hampering the smooth flow of traffic. Interestingly, Gurdaspur is the only district headquarters in the country that does not have traffic lights and footpaths. There have been many instances when the traffic police wanted to install lights, but it could not be done due to lack of funds. The people of the city have repeatedly said that there are many anomalies in the city. Public buildings located on the outskirts should have been within the municipal limits. The district jail is located in the heart of Gurdaspur, while the civil hospital is located 5 km from the city in Babri village. Officials said that the district administration complex and the judicial complex adjoining it should also have been outside the municipal limits. This could have solved the traffic problem to a great extent. Politicians often interfere in the city planning process in an attempt to satisfy their vote bank. Recently, some politicians got the Bhai Lalo traffic chowk constructed without the permission of the administration. See, the city faced traffic jams because a much bigger intersection was built than was needed. The administration took decisive action and demolished the chowk, bringing relief to the residents. The shopkeepers nearby are also very happy. Similarly, residents say the administration should demolish the oversized Kahnauwan Chowk.
