Gurdaspur, January 29, 2025: Considering public demand and convenience, the district administration launched a special drive this morning to remove illegal encroachments made by shopkeepers in the markets of Gurdaspur city. Under the leadership of Additional Deputy Commissioner (Urban Development) Mr. Harjinder Singh Bedi, and with the support of the EO Bhupinder Singh and the Nagar Council team, illegal encroachments were removed from the Fish Market, Bata Chowk, Jail Road, Post Office Chowk, and from Market areas up to Jahaz Chowk. The Nagar Council team removed illegal extensions and obstructions placed in front of the shops.
While providing information about the campaign to remove illegal encroachments, Additional Deputy Commissioner Mr. Harjinder Singh Bedi mentioned that the district administration had been receiving continuous complaints about illegal encroachments by some shopkeepers in the city’s markets. This had caused the markets to become overcrowded, making it very difficult for people to move through. He further stated that these encroachments often led to traffic jams in the markets, which sometimes even trapped school children and ambulances. To address this issue and keeping public convenience in mind, the district administration took action to remove the encroachments.
Mr. Bedi mentioned that the district administration had previously made several requests to shopkeepers to remove the encroachments in front of their shops. Some shopkeepers had taken responsibility and cleared the encroachments, but there were still some shopkeepers who refused to comply despite repeated appeals. Therefore, keeping the public interest in mind, the district administration had to take this action.
He further said that the removal of illegal encroachments would not only enhance the beauty of the markets but also improve traffic flow, which would, in turn, increase business for the shopkeepers. He appealed to the shopkeepers to act as responsible citizens and clear the encroachments in front of their shops. He warned that if any shopkeeper fails to remove the encroachments despite repeated requests, strict action would be taken. The campaign to remove illegal encroachments will continue in the future.
Mr. Bedi also mentioned that the district administration would carry out similar operations in other towns of the district, including Batala, Kadian, Dera Baba Nanak, Fatehgarh Churian, Dinanagar, Dhariwal, and Sri Hargobindpur.
Meanwhile, the general public and people from various groups in Gurdaspur city have welcomed the district administration’s initiative to remove illegal encroachments. They expressed that removing encroachments would not only improve traffic flow but also enhance the cleanliness and beauty of the city.
Summary: Responding to public demand, the district administration clears illegal encroachments in Gurdaspur city markets to ensure better convenience and order.