Jamshedpur, Feb. 6: The rapidly increasing encroachments on the government land and Tata Steel lease area, especially, in the busy market areas, has become a matter of concern for the East Singhbhum district administration.
With city roads squeezing day by day due to encroachments, the district administration launched an anti-encroachment drive in the city on Saturday. The drive started by Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee (JNAC) along with Sakchi police on Friday continued on second day in different areas of Sakchi. During the drive police also seized vehicles in no parking zone.
�We want to streamline the traffic movement in the city. We are taking initiatives to vacate the illegal constructions so that the vehicles can move easily,� said an official of the Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee.
He said that the shop owners were asked to remove the areas encroached by them. Over 50 vendors and vegetable sellers have encroached lands in Kadma, Bistupur, Sakchi and Jugsalai, which are the busiest areas of the town, and resulting to persistent traffic jams. The situation has worsened as the fruit vendors have occupied one fourth portion of the road, making it difficult for heavy vehicles to move.
Sources informed that several illegal jhuggis and shops have come up in different areas in Mango, Golpahari, Loco Colony, Karandih, Jugsalai, Sakchi and Bistupur. Though the anti-encroachment drives have been carried several times, people are able to intrude the land again due to support of local goons. The administration has identified these areas and will soon intensify the drive.
�The eviction drive is being taken up in view of a plan to widen the road to enable of operation of buses and traffic through it. Encroachment of public land in the city has become an urban eyesore. It has brought traffic movement to a crawl. Steps need be taken to vacate the illegal constructions,� a police official said.