Srinagar: Warning shopkeepers of strict action for creating ‘chocking points’, Commissioner Srinagar Municipal Corporation Aamir Athar Khan on Wednesday said that those shopkeepers who won’t comply law will face consequences.
Additional encroachments in Kashmir capital Srinagar is rampant. In almost every area of the city, shopkeepers can be seen putting their merchandize on display, thus blocking traffic and pedestrian movement.
Commissioner Srinagar Municipal Corporation Aamir Athar Khan visited parts of Srinagar city including Jahangir Chowk and Hari Singh High Street and asked shopkeepers not to block side-walks.
The merchandize put by shopkeepers on display was removed while shopkeepers were directed to refrain from encroaching the foot-paths and roads.
While talking to news agency Kashmir News Trust, Commissioner SMC, Aamir Athar Khan said that this phase wise drive will continue. “Our Ward Officers in their wards will ensure that no shopkeeper or vendor will create a choking point. Every road will be cleared from additional encroachment,” he said.
In response to a question, Khan said that encroachments in Mehjoor Nagar, Natipora and others areas of Srinagar city will be removed and heavy fine will be imposed upon the violators.
“We will use JCBs to remove the merchandize on display and encroachments where ever we find it,” he said.
A recent study showed that 90% shopkeepers in Srinagar city are doing business outside their shops acting as the biggest bottleneck in the smooth movement of pedestrians and traffic.
Due to additional encroachments by shopkeepers, broad roads have shrunk considerably across Srinagar city. In recent past as well, SMC had launched such ‘cosmetic’ drives which yielded no results due to absence of proper regulation. (KNT)
