Encroachment of public spaces is increasingly getting rampant in Jharsuguda district. The heavily industrialised district is already grappling with a major traffic problem and blatant encroachment at critical points of the headquarters town has further compounded the woes of vehicle drivers and pedestrians alike. Encroachment by shopkeepers and stall owners has also led to severe parking problem in the main market area - the posh shopping market of the town. The haphazard parking makes it difficult for people to cross the streets, whereas sometimes it becomes impossible for vehicle owners to remove their parked vehicles. In the absence of any stringent action from authorities, residents and commuters alike are not willing to relent since they have encroached upon the roadsides.
Senior officials in the district administration said they were making all efforts to improve the situation. The administration sought the help of the municipality to clear the encroachments but to no avail. The situations temporarily improved but things were back to square one once the police supervision was lax. However, some showroom owners have written to the administration demanding strict action against the encroachers.
“The main market road is 20-foot wide on which the shopkeepers have encroached for another 5-6 feet. How will anyone pass on this road,” asked BK Mandal, a shopkeeper. Things are even worse in Brajrajnagar and Jharsuguda main road, Gandhi Chowk, Behramal,Jhanda Chowk, Sarbahal, BTM and the bus stand area where encroachments have become a regular affair. Jharsuguda Municipality Chairperson Harish Ganantra said that once the temporary anti-encroachment drive gained momentum, permanent encroachments on footpath and drains would also be targeted. He also assured that the problem would eventually be resolved.