Lokmat News Network
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Following the demolition of encroachments in front of the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), the municipal corporation's enthusiasm has doubled. On Tuesday, 22 small and large encroachments were removed from the 24-meter-wide road from Ekta Chowk to Old Peer Bazaar. Earlier, notices were issued to 22 property owners with permanent constructions, instructing them to voluntarily remove their encroachments.
Encroachments in the city have been causing traffic obstructions. Last year, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar also highlighted the issue of encroachments. Subsequently, the administration, with police cooperation, decided to streamline city traffic, widen roads, and clear left turns. The municipal corporation administrator G Sreekanth ordered the anti-encroachment squad to free major roads from encroachments.
Following this, under the leadership of Additional Commissioner Santosh Wahule, Deputy Commissioner Savita Sonawane and ward officers inspected the 24-meter road from Shahnoormiyan Dargah Chowk to Bhajiwali Bai Chowk (Old Peer Bazaar). It was observed that due to encroachments, the road width had been reduced to 18 meters. An unexpected encroachment removal drive was initiated on Tuesday, starting from Ekta Chowk in Chausarnagar to Old Peer Bazaar.
Encroachments included 22 shops including hotels, garages, washing centres, hardware stores, and meat-selling shops situated on the cement road. The vehicles in front of these shops had also narrowed the road further. Besides, a major housing project is underway on this road, and the Additional Commissioner, Santosh Wahule, called the project manager to issue a warning about removing the entrance built on the road for beautification purposes.
Remove encroachments within 24 hours
Some 20 property owners have built permanent structures from Shahnoormiyan Dargah to Bhajiwali Bai Chowk. The municipal corporation has issued a notice to remove these permanent constructions within 24 hours. The notice states that if the constructions are not removed, the municipal corporation will take action to demolish them.