In a major drive against encroachments, Madurai Corporation officials on Friday cleared at least three truck loads of materials spread out on the pavement and roadsides in the East Zone.
The Assistant Commissioner, N. Arumuga Nainar and the Chief Town Planning Officer, Rakkappan, led a team , who removed the encroachment on the East Masi Street, East Marret Street and the East Perumal Maistry Street. The Assistant Executive Engineer, I. Renganathan, was also present.
Ably assisted by a strong posse of police personnel, the Corporation officials went on with the drive . The officials removed huge quantity of onions spread out on the pedestrian walk on the East Marret Street. Huge quantity of parcels stocked, by few parcel lorry offices, on the roadside were also seized by the officials. With the help of an earth moverthe bigger parcels were removed. Later, the team cleared several temporary sheds put up by flower vendors that were posing a major hindrance on the Swamy Sannathi Road. The shop-keepers on the road had, on their part, blocked the pavement by stocking their goods. Furniture kept on the platform was so huge that panicky shopkeepers could neither take them inside their shops nor carry them to a safe distance to avoid seizure of the materials.
The officials also entered the narrow passage of the East Perumal Maistry Street where the plantain sellers had created a chaotic situation by putting out their goods on the road. The earth mover removed the steps constructed on the road.
A major encroachment on the market complex under the East Marret Street overhead tank, too was razed down. Though a man tried to give his mobile phone to an officer claiming that a councillor was on the other end, the official showed no hesitation and pulled down the tin sheets. On-lookers who appreciated the efforts of the officials however, said that such an exercise done once in a while would not produce the desired result. Corporation Commissioner, R. Nanthagopal said that he has directed the officials to carry out eviction every day in one of the wards. “We will also re-visit the places once in 15 days, to ensure that no one comes back to encroach the public utility space again,” he added.
