Punjab: Shopkeepers obstruct traffic by encroaching on the roadside

Punjab: Shopkeepers in Sri Ganganagar’s Gol Bazar area have once again encroached upon roads, causing traffic jams, forcing the traffic police to intervene today. Traffic in-charge Raghubir Singh Bika along with his team removed the goods kept by shopkeepers around Ambedkar Chowk, Gandhi Chowk, Kedar Chowk and roads leading to Kotwali and Purani Anaj Mandi. With the onset of winter, shopkeepers in Gol Bazar start keeping goods in front of their shops, reducing the road width from 80 feet to 20 feet.

Commuting between Ambedkar Chowk and Gandhi Chowk has become difficult. Officials said that efforts to improve traffic system in the area have been challenging as “shopkeepers do not mend their behaviour.” Earlier in October, the traffic police had tried to solve the problem. In the presence of MLA Jaideep Bihani, shopkeepers had promised to improve the system in seven days, but they did nothing. Meanwhile, the city police have arrested two youths for stealing valuables from outside electronic shops. Ankit Tuli (27), a resident of Shivalik Colony, and Shiv Dhanak (24), a resident of Kunj Vihar Colony, were arrested. Station House Officer Prithvipal Singh said the accused were identified through CCTV footage.