LG orders quick action against road encroachments

Clamping down on encroachers, Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal issued directives to civic agencies to make a time-bound action plan for encroachment-removal for each road stretch. He gave a deadline of three days for the removal of encroachments from 29 stretches in the national capital.

The L-G also stated that he will seek compliance of the directives. "A video of the act should be recorded and the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) should be followed to prevent re-encroachment," he said.

Baijal also held a meeting with all the stakeholders to discuss the issues of major encroachments and road blocks in different parts of Delhi, as raised in the writ petition in the High Court. He noted that 29 major road stretches have been identified by HC for removal of encroachment on a permanent basis.

The L-G also pointed out that the local bodies are statutorily empowered to remove the encroachments and PWD shall ensure logistical assistance to the respective local body in cases of roads that are maintained by it.

He directed the Delhi government's Urban Development Department to be the nodal department by creating a special cell which shall monitor the stretch-wise action taken by the local bodies on a weekly basis as well as devise an SOP in coordination with the concerned agencies for prevention of re-encroachment in cases where action has been taken.

"Each agency should draw up an action plan within three days to remove encroachment from roads," he said. He further directed that the concerned agencies should coordinate with police in advance so that the force could be provided to assist in the encroachment removal programme.

Baijal also directed the concerned agencies to undertake videography of the removal of encroachment and road blocks.

He stressed upon the need of compliance of the judicial pronouncements in letter and spirit. He directed all local bodies to launch an immediate crackdown on temporary encroachments such as parked vehicles. He also added that those parking contractors of the local bodies who are allowing parking on roads should be penalised.

He also directed Commissioner (Transport) to take action against errant vehicles which are not following the rules while plying on the road. Commissioner (Transport) assured that we will take action against these vehicles as per law.

Delhi Minister Satyendar Jain, who was also in the meeting, stressed that there should be a heavy penalty on those who are encroaching the roads and footpaths for their personal use, in complete disregard to the interest of the general public. He also referred to the need for enforcing various judicial pronouncements particularly those of Hon'ble NGT with respect to challans/fines on violators, which was endorsed by Hon'ble L-G.