Collectorate plagued by footpath encroachment despite HC directives

 

 

Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has failed to comply with directions of the Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court issued on January 16 to remove encroachment on footpaths in the city, as can be seen by continued encroached footpaths near and opposite Collector Office in Civil lines. The area around Collector office in Civil Lines is often crowded with people coming there for official work. These people are served by individuals notorising the documents, and by ‘Patodiwalas’ who establish their makeshift shops on the footpath, interrupting and disrupting the pedestrian movement. These pedestrians are then forced to walk on roads, creating possibility of accidents.

 

 

The encroaching shop-owners at the spot cite non-availability of proper space near the Collectorate to set up their shops. On condition of anonymity, one such encroacher said, “The customers do not like to walk longer distance for completing their needs, and that’s what runs our business. If we move away, we will lose our livelihood.” Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Highways and Road Transport, made an appeal to keep space for ‘Patodiwalas’ and other local businesses in new under-construction multi-storeyed Commissioner-cum- Collector Office, which might solve the problem. But authorities need to manage the situation till then. While hearing a case filed by Madhukar Kukde, President, Citizen Forum for Equality, the Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court had directed the authorities to comply with directions. The condition on ground is reflecting on non-compliance on part of the authorities.

 

‘The Hitavada’ has been continuously raising the issue of encroachment on city footpaths in several areas for months now. The footpaths are a public property and they must be useful for the public, instead of its illegal occupants. The authorities, however, have stated in the past, that they conduct regular anti-encroachment drives for eradication of the problem. But, reoccurrence of the problem highlights the need of a permanent solution, and policy decisions instead of these temporary measures. The NMC puts across statistics of action taken to clear the footpaths of encroachment, but the picture in Civil Lines, the area near its headquarters, however shows the hollowness of anti-encroachment drive.