Crackdown on encroachments, illegal parking in Delhi

The Delhi Traffic Police, in coordination with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), carried out a city-wide anti-encroachment and unauthorised parking operation across the national Capital. More than 1,000 encroachments were cleared, and over 3,000 vehicles were towed to improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety.

The four-day operation, carried out from June 3 to June 6 under the direction of Manish Aggarwal, the Special Commissioner of Police, Traffic Management Division, covered all traffic circles and ranges in Delhi. Enforcement teams targeted major arterial roads, market stretches, footpaths, service lanes, designated parking areas and other traffic-sensitive locations where encroachments and illegal parking were causing congestion and safety concerns.

According to official figures, action was taken at 144 locations across Delhi between June 1 and June 7. During the drive, authorities removed 1,264 rehi patri encroachments from roads and footpaths. They cleared 1,015 unauthorised structures, including temporary kiosks, illegal commercial extensions, obstructive displays, and other obstructions that affected public movement.

The campaign also led to the impounding or towing of 3,123 vehicles found abandoned, illegally parked or obstructing roads and footpaths. In addition, the Delhi Traffic Police issued 55,532 challans against motorists and other violators whose actions hindered traffic flow and compromised road safety. Officials said the drive was aimed at restoring carriageway capacity and ensuring smoother traffic flow in areas affected by market spillover, roadside vending and unauthorised occupation of public spaces.

A key component of the campaign focused on improving the use of designated parking facilities. Traffic Police officials noted that unauthorised parking occupies valuable road space, reduces vehicle carrying capacity and discourages motorists from using nearby authorised parking lots.

In the first phase, the focused drive covered six identified locations: Spark Mall in Kamla Nagar, M-Block Market in Greater Kailash-I, Hauz Khas, Qutub Road, Nizamuddin Basti and Parade Ground.

The second phase will target additional locations, including Max Saket, Church Mission Road, Pushp Vihar Road, Max Shalimar Bagh, Yousuf Sarai, Alaknanda Commercial Complex, areas near the Community Centre and Sabzi Mandi in Geeta Colony, Car Bazar in Laxmi Nagar, the Geeta Colony boundary wall and areas around Karkardooma Courts.

Officials emphasised that encroachments and unauthorised parking are not merely civic violations but also serious road safety concerns.

Illegal structures and improperly parked vehicles can reduce visibility at intersections, while blocked shoulders and service lanes may delay ambulances, fire tenders and other emergency vehicles.

Officials noted that encroachments and unauthorised parking also contribute to public inconvenience by slowing traffic, increasing travel time and causing unnecessary vehicle idling.

Authorities said such conditions add to fuel consumption and pollution levels while reducing the overall efficiency of the road network. They stressed that public cooperation is essential to keep roads, footpaths and public spaces accessible and safe for all users.

Reiterating a zero-tolerance policy against the unlawful occupation of public land, MCD officials urged shopkeepers, vendors, and property owners to remove encroachments and comply with civic regulations voluntarily. The Delhi Traffic Police also appealed to Resident Welfare Associations, Market Welfare Associations and citizens to use designated parking facilities and help keep roads and footpaths free of obstructions.

With the next phase of the drive set to cover additional congestion hotspots, authorities said sustained enforcement and public cooperation would remain crucial to improving road discipline, protecting pedestrian spaces and ensuring smoother traffic movement across Delhi.