Sajid Raina
Bandipora: Despite the tall claims of the administration for taking strict action against encroachers, the footpaths in the main market of north Kashmir’s Bandipora have been illegally occupied by the shopkeepers and roadside vendors at various spots, locals said here.
The street vendors and shopkeepers are seen occupying footpaths in the main town including Khadim market, Nowpora and Gulshan Chowk.
Locals told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that encroachers have randomly occupied footpaths leaving no space for the movement of pedestrians, who are forced to walk on the main road.
“Even pedestrians are forced to walk on the main road as the footpaths have been occupied either by shopkeepers of roadside vendors,” Shabir Ahmad, a local resident said.
He said that for more than four years they have been protesting against the footpath encroachment which has led to several accidents. “Pedestrians have no choice but to walk on the road.”
The locals said that the encroachment on footpaths leads to frequent traffic jams as the pedestrians are forced to walk on the main road, thereby hampering the smooth movement of vehicles.
Meanwhile, the locals have sought the intervention of deputy Commissioner Bandipora in order to remove encroachments on the footpaths.
When contacted executive officer Municipal council Bandipora, Mushtaq Ahmad told KNO that they have already deputed a team to check the encroachments within municipal limits.
He assured that all the encroachments will be removed in coming days—(KNO)
