Kerala - Alappuzha   

UDF scuttling demolition of illegal shops: municipal chief

Staff Reporter

`Work to ease traffic congestion'

ALAPPUZHA: Municipal chairman P.P. Chitharanjan has said that the Opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) in the municipal council is subverting eviction of merchants who have encroached upon footpaths and roads in the town. The aim is to scuttle development projects being implemented by the municipality, he adds.

Mr. Chitharanjan told presspersons here on Saturday that the eviction process, initiated by the district administration, with the cooperation of the municipality, had been stalled halfway by a powerful lobby having the support of the UDF and the State Government. The civic body was resolved to remove illegal constructions of small merchants as well as big traders. The eviction was aimed at easing traffic congestion and developing junctions.

He said the shop buildings built on encroached banks of canals were being demolished as part of the canal beautification scheme of the Government, with financial assistance from the Department of Tourism.

Mr. Chitharanjan said the municipality, which was not against footpath merchants, had prepared a plan to rehabilitate them at appropriate places. The civic body had discussed the issue of eviction with their representatives. A list of merchants to be rehabilitated had been prepared, with the help of revenue officials, he added.

He said Minister for Tourism K.C. Venugopal, who represents the town in the Assembly, had been cooperating well in the development efforts of the municipality. The Minister, who had a responsibility to support these efforts, should make public his opinion about the eviction.

Mr. Chitharanjan said the sides of Mullakkal street used to be encroached upon by powerful groups every year for erecting makeshift shops during the festival at the temple nearby. "This year, the municipality has decided to auction the rights to set up the shops, as it is an income to the municipality," he said.

But the Opposition created pandemonium at the council on Wednesday with the intension of subverting the auction plan. However, the municipality would conduct the auction as it was for public good, he added.

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UDF scuttling demolition of illegal shops: municipal chief

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