Cops to crack down on footpath encroachers in Hyderabad

​Hyderabad: Traders and shopkeepers encroaching pavements to run their businesses will be booked under GHMC Act and will be sent to prison from now on.

Deputy Commissioner of Police, Traffic, A V Ranganath on Tuesday informed shopkeepers from different parts of South Zone that the police department was forced to take the drastic measure since shopkeepers were renting out the pavements in front of their shops.

This is leading to encroachment of pavements and thereby causing serious hurdles for smooth flow of traffic resulting in accidents, he said.

The traffic police conducted an awareness meeting for the shopkeepers before implementing the GHMC Act in letter and spirit so that thewrongdoers can have an opportunity to mend their ways, the DCP said.

Those who conduct their trades on footpath would be produced before the courts along with pictorial and video evidence. The wrongdoers will be punished with imprisonment ranging between three to 30 days, he said.

The courts are taking serious note of repeated offenders in the same manner as drunken drivers are being treated, he said adding that this measure however is not applicable for petty vendors conducting their businesses on roads.

The West Zone traffic police officials also conducted similar awareness programmes for the shopkeepers by organising street corner meetings for the last few days.