MUSSOORIE: The anti-encroachment drive that started on Thursday in Mussoorie continued on Friday as well. According to local authorities, 126 encroachments -- mostly shacks and eateries -- were removed from the roadside in several parts of the hill town, including Kincraig, Gandhi Chowk, Motilal Nehru Road, Tehri Bus stand, Tehri bypass road, Bataghat, Masonic Lodge Bus Stand, Big Bend and others.
The drive -- held on orders of Dehradun district magistrate R Rajesh Kumar -- was led by SDM Mussoorie Naresh Durgapal, CO Mussoorie Pallavi Tyagi, officials of the Public Works Department (PWD), Mussoorie Municipal Council (MMC) and police personnel.
It comes after several complaints of road congestion from tourists and locals. “Illegal encroachments were congesting our roads resulting in traffic bottlenecks, creating safety issues, especially during evening hours. We welcome this drive,” said Nidhi Bahuguna, a Mussoorie resident. Speaking to TOI, DM Kumar said that “a total of 126 encroachments have been removed and the administration is taking stringent measures to prevent encroachments in these areas in the future.”
The officer added that videography and photography of the cleared sites have been done by the concerned departments which will be used for future reference. Meanwhile, a patrolling team -- comprising officials from the municipal council, public works department and revenue department -- has been constituted to inspect the areas at regular intervals. “A crane truck has also been provided to this patrolling team. They will monitor the areas daily and keep the roadsides free from encroachment,” said the district magistrate.
