Illegal encroachment of footpaths continue in city, JMC failing to stop it

Illegal encroachment of footpaths continue in city, JMC failing to stop it Nitesh Sangral JAMMU, June 22: With the help of some politicians and bureaucrats the few shopkeepers and vendors have encroached upon most of the footpaths near Government Medical College (GMC). They have encroached the road and footpath, which has created lot of problems for the commuters. Interestingly, many accidents in the area particularly in the vicinity of GMC opposite side or Government Chest Hospital have happened due to the encroachment of the road and footpath by the roadside vendors and shopkeepers. It is pertinent to mention here that the State government has made for the locals people who were daily travelling at there and also safety for their life. But some people have occupied the public footpath and set up their business. Even as footpaths in the city shrink due to road widening and hawkers are claiming the rest. Garbage put on the roads, creating inconvenience for pedestrians and shopkeepers. Official source said that the main reason behind this condition of the town is the infighting between politicians, who for their pity interests, never raise such issues before the authorities concerned. Due to this occupied the people and school kids feel not safety. The public has also not complaint against them at present, which is why the people occupied the footpaths with the help of politicians. Already in the city there is a shortage of public footpaths but now they are occupied by the sell their product. “It is quite unfortunate that neither the traffic police nor the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) authorities are taking action against the vendors and shopkeepers encroaching the road and footpath by extending their makeshift stalls,” he added. He also said that the shop owners and street vendors are illegally occupying the footpaths during the day leaving no space for the pedestrians. Their occupying the footpath and roads also causes hurdles in the traffic which results in many accidents. He further said that the Traffic jams are very frequent in the area because of these stalls and shops which lay their merchandise on the makeshift stalls extended towards the road side and occupying the footpath. When contacted Commissioner of Jammu Municipal Corporation, KL Khajuria said that illegal occupation of footpath is one of the major concerns in the city. They have no proposal to yet for removed the stalls established there. “If people will come to us and inform about the encroachment we will remove them as soon as possible,” he added.