Encroachments on road margins removed

Almost all houses and shops have extended platforms that block drainage canals

Officials remove encroachments on Vanniya Perumal Kovil Street at Mudaliarpet in Puducherry on Monday. (Right) Workers clear the rubble.— Photos: T. Singaravelou

Municipal officials of Puducherry and police removed encroachments from the spots in front of commercial establishments and houses on Vanniya Perumal Kovil Street at Mudaliarpet on Monday.

Commissioner of Puducherry Municipality R. Chandirasekaran said that around 40 shops and 20 houses had encroached upon the platforms up to the end of the road, causing traffic congestion in the area.

The extended platforms ranging from one to three feet had encroached on drainage canals obstructing the flow of sewage. Almost all shops and houses had platforms protruding to the municipal road. A few shops had erected unauthorised structures such as shelters, banners and sign-boards on their own. This hindered the movement of fire tenders into the area, he said.

The municipality served notices on the people, asking them to remove encroachments. But none of them had responded to the notices. The civic body would continue the drive and remove all encroachments in the city, he said.

A few shops have erected unauthorised structures such as shelters, banners and sign-boards