GHMC removes 8,445 encroachments from footpaths

Hyderabad: The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has as on July 28 removed 8,445 encroachments and officials say that in the coming days they would be upping the ante with renewed vigour. In a concerted effort, the GHMC conducted four drives starting from June 30 and followed it up on July 1, July 2 and the latest on July 28. 

Speaking to The Hans India, Viswajit Kampati, Director, Vigilance Enforcement and Disaster Management, GHMC said, ““For every zone six teams are allotted and each team was allotted eight stretches and the structures were cleared without issuing any notice under Section 405 of Act provision of the GHMC. Around 550 encroachments were removed voluntarily at different places” 

The GHMC Urban Community Development (UCD) wing is identifying alternate space for the vendors to conduct business without obstructing traffic. The idea was to clear encroachments on footpaths and not to harass people or owners of establishments, he added. In the first drive 4,669 encroachments were removed out of which 3,158 were movable and 691 had permanent structures. In the case of 550 encroachments people came forward voluntarily. 

BY Nikhitha Mendu