Anti-encroachment drive puts registered vendors in a fix

AS Rao Nagar: GHMC on Wednesday launched anti-encroachment drive in some places at AS Rao Nagar without informing the registered street vendors. Viswajit Kampati, Director Vigilance Enforcement & Disaster Management of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) said, “GHMC officials identified over 4,000 structures on 48 stretches. 

Under ‘Right to Walk’, the drive was launched in June. On day one, 1,124 structures were demolished and 1,317 were cleared. In August, 1,722 structures were demolished. On that basis, the works were started in AS Rao Nagar for now the vendor are said to stay back.” He further said, “According to street vendor act 2014, the permission for footpath limit was 100 feet but it has been changed now to 150 feet on that bases the encroachments have been removed and the reconstruction works are delayed, and we are waiting for the tenders.”

Ramesh a resident said “Parking vehicles outside shops is improper as they have done with encroachment for footpath. Things remain in order for a few days as the reconstruction works are stopped in some places and the same this will happen here.” Another resident Laxman said, “Consumers are facing major problems while walking in to the shop as the officials removed the steps. Now we need to get temporary sheds till the works start. If the officials would inform us before we would plan before.”

BY Spandana Nimma