BIJAPUR: The joint operation taken up by the district administration and Municipality to remove encroachments, especially on roads, entered the 12th day on Friday.

The demolition drive along Jamia Masjid Road was peaceful, barring a few incidents of minor skirmishes. At some places, residents and shopkeepers alleged that the survey is faulty.

"Although the structures are within legitimate boundary, they have been demolished," said Abdulsab.

Some property owners near Bade Kamaan area tried to alter the encroachment markings made by the demolition squad. Encroachment structures were marked yellow last week. But officials cleared the encroachments after conducting a resurvey.

The drive has been smooth on M.G. Road that passes through the heart of the city. In most stretches, shopkeepers and building owners have already dismantled the structures on encroached land on their own.

Vital link

The road, which comes under the control of the Department of Public Works, is a vital link to the state highways of Sindagi and Athani roads.

The task of removing encroachments along the road has been entrusted to the department.

Over 1,000 structures, including shops and residential buildings, have been dismantled so far.

The administration has drawn a comprehensive plan to rehabilitate some of them, especially those who are below the poverty line.

It has also been planned to provide alternative arrangements to petty shop owners.

According to Municipal Commissioner Srikant Kattimani, as many as 367 residential structures have been removed and most of the families will be allotted houses under `Ashraya' and other housing schemes.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail