GHMC Initiates Major Drive to Reclaim Pedestrian Spaces in Hyderabad
Acting on directives from the high court, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has launched a fresh and comprehensive drive to reclaim pedestrian spaces across the city. This initiative follows a large-scale enforcement exercise conducted on Saturday, during which nearly 800 encroachments were successfully cleared from various roads.
Phased and Zone-Wise Approach for Effective Implementation
The GHMC will execute this drive in a phased, zone-wise manner, focusing on one circle each week. The primary targets include clearing encroachments from roads, footpaths, and nalas to ensure safe and accessible pathways for pedestrians. In February, the high court upheld the civic body's actions and issued a directive to restore footpaths to their original condition. Authorities have been instructed to submit a compliance report within three months, adding urgency to the campaign.
Coordinated Efforts and Detailed Action Plan
To ensure effective implementation, the GHMC is coordinating closely with HYDRAA and the traffic police. A detailed action plan has been meticulously prepared, identifying one major road stretch in each zone for focused attention. Staff from all circles have been mobilized to support the drive, with different wings within the GHMC assigned specific responsibilities:
- Vigilance Wing: Coordinates with law and order and traffic police for enforcement support.
- Engineering Wing: Arranges necessary machinery and manpower for clearance operations.
- Sanitation Wing: Handles the removal of debris after encroachments are cleared.
Officials have emphasized that along with removing encroachments, damaged footpaths will be repaired or reconstructed to enhance pedestrian infrastructure, aiming for long-term improvements.
Appeal to Citizens and Historical Challenges
The civic body has also made a public appeal to citizens and shopkeepers, urging them not to encroach upon footpaths and road margins. A warning has been issued that violations will be removed departmentally if not cleared voluntarily. However, similar drives conducted earlier by the erstwhile Enforcement, Vigilance and Disaster Management (EVDM) wing had only temporary impacts, with encroachments often reappearing within months. This highlights the ongoing challenge of sustaining such initiatives in the face of recurring violations.
As the GHMC moves forward with this renewed effort, the focus remains on creating a more pedestrian-friendly environment in Hyderabad, in compliance with judicial mandates and public safety needs.
