In a significant move to reclaim public spaces and ensure smooth movement of vehicles, the Patna district administration executed a major anti-encroachment drive across the city on Monday. The coordinated action, directed by District Magistrate Thiyagrajan SM, resulted in the collection of fines totalling Rs 59,800 and the removal of numerous illegal structures from roadsides.
Multi-Agency Operation for Public Space Reclamation
The drive was a concerted effort involving multiple government agencies. Teams from the Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC), traffic police, transport, revenue, PWD, health, police, fire brigade, Bridge Construction Corporation, telecommunications, forest division, and electricity department worked in coordination. The primary goals were to clear illegal encroachments that hinder traffic and to take back public land for citizen use.
District Magistrate Thiyagrajan SM issued strict instructions for officials to maintain rigorous oversight and conduct regular reviews. He mandated that all sub-divisional officers (SDOs) and sub-divisional police officers (SDPOs) personally supervise the operations in their areas. To prevent the return of encroachments, follow-up teams have been ordered to remain active 24/7.
“Habitual encroachers are to be identified, and FIRs mandatorily lodged against anyone found re-encroaching cleared spaces,” the DM stated, underscoring the administration's zero-tolerance approach.
Area-Wise Action and Major Penalties
The enforcement action varied in scale and intensity across different circles of the city, with some areas witnessing substantial penalties.
In the New Capital circle, a four-hour operation focused on Beerchand Patel Path and Vikas Bhavan-Magistrate Road. Authorities seized six hand-carts and two wooden counters, collecting a fine of Rs 2,000.
The Patliputra circle saw encroachments being cleared around key landmarks including Patna Museum, Police Line, Gyan Bhavan, Kargil Chowk, and the areas flanking Bankipur Club. The action here led to the demolition of approximately 20 makeshift huts, the seizure of one wooden cart and a platform, and the imposition of Rs 2,500 in fines.
Khagaul Nagar Parishad teams cleared the stretch from the council office to Moti Chowk and from Dalluchak Shiv Mandir up to Batala Factory Cantt Road. They removed and seized bamboo structures, posters, banners, and carts, levying a penalty of Rs 300.
The most substantial financial penalty was recorded in the Danapur Nagar Parishad zone. The drive from Saguna More to Khagaul Road resulted in the removal of 40 illegal posters and banners, seizure of bamboo structures and three carts, and a hefty fine collection of Rs 55,000.
Sustained Monitoring and Broader Traffic Measures
Understanding that a one-day drive is insufficient, the administration has put in place mechanisms for sustained vigilance. A dedicated five-member monitoring cell has been constituted specifically to tackle the issue of illegal parking and keep the roads clear.
As an integral part of the broader initiative, the traffic police conducted simultaneous vehicle checking campaigns across the city. This dual focus on both static encroachments and moving violations aims to comprehensively address the root causes of traffic congestion.
The Monday drive signals a renewed and stricter phase of urban management in Patna. By involving numerous departments and threatening legal action against repeat offenders, the district administration under DM Thiyagrajan SM aims to deliver a lasting solution to the chronic problem of encroachment on public roads and spaces.
