For a long time now the traffic on the roads adjourning the main markets in Gwalior has been worsening due to the encroachment of the roads and footpaths by the hawkers. With Deepavali around the corner the traffic in these places has gone downhill as people stop right in the middle of the roads to buy items while some customers use the remaining part of the roads to park their vehicles.
Despite several drives by the District Administration, the Municipal Corporation and the Traffic Police to remove the encroachments, the situation has not improved. The removal of encroachments on the roads seems an uphill task as the number of roadside vendors, food stalls and makeshift shops increase day by day.
Talking to the media persons about this menace, District Collector Anurag Chaudhary said that with the District Administration, civic body and the police the business community too is responsible for this nuisance. Most of the shops in the main market places use the footpaths to display their items, causing distress to pedestrians who spill onto the main roads, causing traffic jams. The DC said that footpaths are meant for pedestrians and that the administration will take all steps to keep it that way.
The Chaudhary further said that hectic work is going on to make the city a Smart City and assured that all steps will be taken to remove all encroachments from the pavements. The DC also asked the shopkeepers to remove their items from the footpaths, failing which strict action will be taken against them.
He further said that a special drive will be conducted after Deepavali to remove all encroachments. He said that hawkers will be shifted to the Hawkers’ Zone and steps will be taken to stop illegal parking on the roads.