Saturday, 02 July 2022 | PNS | Haridwar
With the Char Dham Yatra underway and Kanwad Yatra set to begin later this month, the district administration initiated an anti-encroachment drive in Haridwar. The start of the drive saw encroachments from Shiv Murti Chowk towards Lalita Rao bridge being demolished by the authorities. The traders were already warned by the administration. The Haridwar district magistrate Vinay Shankar Pandey had earlier ordered the officials concerned to take strict action against encroachments following which the city magistrate, sub divisional magistrate and municipal commissioner along with the police initiated the anti-encroachment drive which began on Thursday.
The Kanwad Mela is set to start in the second fortnight of this month in Haridwar. Lakhs of people from outside the State arrive here during this period which results in major crowding and other effects. To prevent any major congestion or other problems during the Kanwad Mela, the police and administration launched a campaign against encroachment from Shiv Murti Chowk to Bhimgoda. During the campaign run earlier also the team had removed encroachment by shops in the markets but the spaces freed of encroachments were soon encroached upon once again by the traders.
City magistrate Avdesh Singh informed this correspondent that on Thursday and Friday, an anti-encroachment drive was conducted in parts of the city. “We have already had a discussion with the traders on this issue and they also support us. A large number of Kanwadias are expected to arrive here this year and the administration doesn’t want any inconvenience to the public or hindrance in smooth conduct of the Kanwad Mela,” he said.
Superintendent of police (City) Swatantra Kumar Singh said that several rounds of talks were held with the traders of the city regarding the removal of encroachments.The traders have also agreed to remove the encroachments voluntarily. Strict action will be taken against those who do not cooperate. In view of the Kanwad Mela which is about to start in the near future, the anti-encroachment drive will continue in Haridwar, he added.
