Lokmat News Network
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:
The anti-encroachment squad of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Corporation (CSMC) launched a sudden operation at Shahganj Chaman on Thursday at 11.30 am. Handcarters in the area scrambled through various lanes to avoid the action, but none of them were caught. The municipal corporation team also removed more than 30 sheds near Chaman and at the Clock Tower’s “Chappal Galli.” The operation caused widespread panic among handcarters and local traders.
The crackdown comes after a violent incident on Wednesday evening at Shahganj Chaman, when four handcarters assaulted a young man and a pregnant woman. A police complaint was filed late at night at City Chowk police station, and the accused were arrested. Following this incident, the issue of encroachments gained renewed attention. Shinde Sena, the ruling party in the municipal corporation, took notice, and deputy mayor Rajendra Janjal requested the municipal commissioner to take action against the encroachments.
Accordingly, the squad was called at 11 am. Supervision was provided by coordinating officer Santosh Waghule and deputy commissioner Savita Sonawane, along with zone officers and building inspector Syed Jamshed. The squad began operations at 11.30 am. Upon seeing the civic team, fruit vendors scattered, and over 100 handcarters fled. The squad confiscated goods from one vendor in front of Chaman. Traders on Chappal Galli had erected sheds in front of their shops, and more than 30 of these were dismantled.
The squad completed the operation around 1.30 pm. However, by 2.30 pm, handcart operators had once again encroached roads along Shahganj Masjid Road, Hindi Bhavan Road, and Kirana Chawdi Road. While handcart encroachments are a daily problem, Thursday’s operation saw a slight improvement in discipline.
Officials’ directive
Wahule said, “Roads in the Shahganj Chaman area must remain clear 24 hours a day. Any handcarts on main roads or encroachments in front of shops will be removed. Traders are also urged to maintain discipline.”
Similar action two years ago
A similar large-scale operation was carried out by the anti-encroachment section two years ago in the Shahganj Chaman area. Former municipal staff were also deployed for several days to prevent re-encroachment.