Pedestrians pavements and public space around the Chathram Bus Stand sported a spacious look on Saturday after the eviction drive taken up by Tiruchirapalli City Corporation officials.
In a day-long operation, officials of the civic body removed several roadside vendors, including fruit and flower vendors, and unauthorised structures put up around the bus stand. Road space around the bus stand has been squeezed owing to indiscriminate encroachments.
Though the drive came in the wake of a directive from the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, based on a petition filed by the contractor of the two-wheeler parking lot, the scope of the operation was widened to cover roads around the bus stand.
The contractor had sought removal of encroachers especially traders who used stoves and other inflammable material around the parking lot where a lot of vehicles are parked everyday.
Apart from vendors who had set shop around the two-wheeler parking lot, unauthorised structures put up tea stalls, eateries and other shops around the bus stand were also removed. Pavement vendors along the mofussil bus halt in front of Ramyas Hotel were also removed during the operation conducted with police protection.
Corporation Assistant Commissioner (Srirangam zone) Rangarajan supervised the operation.