MC acts against roadside encroachments
The Amritsar Municipal Corporation (MC) on Saturday removed illegal encroachments by Baba Sandwich in the Chattiwind Gate area and seized goods that had been placed unlawfully on a public road. The operation was conducted by the Estate Department under the supervision of Secretary-cum-Estate Officer Sushant Bhatia.
Background of the enforcement drive
Earlier, the corporation’s Sanitation Wing had carried out a special enforcement drive in the area against littering and issued challans to several violators for dumping waste on public roads. During that drive, Baba Sandwich, which had set up multiple stalls on the road and was reportedly found littering the area, was issued a challan under Section 323 of the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act, 1976.
Allegations of obstruction
The MC alleged that the owner of Baba Sandwich misbehaved with municipal officials while they were performing their official duties. Following the incident, the corporation wrote to the Commissioner of Police, Amritsar, seeking the registration of an FIR against the individual for “obstructing and misbehaving with public servants on duty”. As part of the continuing enforcement action, the Estate Department removed structures that had been erected illegally on municipal land by the establishment.
Operation details
The operation was carried out by a team led by Inspectors Aman Sharma and Preeti Chauhan, comprising officials from the Estate Department, and the MC Police Wing under the command of Dharminder Jit Singh. According to the corporation, the establishment had encroached upon municipal land by extending its business onto the road through unauthorised stalls and other materials, obstructing pedestrian movement and affecting the free flow of traffic. The encroachments were removed and the goods were seized in accordance with the provisions of the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act, 1976.
Zero-tolerance policy
Municipal Commissioner Bikramjit Singh Shergill said the corporation had adopted a zero-tolerance approach towards encroachments, littering and obstructions on public roads, footpaths and municipal land. He added that repeated violations, particularly by those who disregarded civic laws or obstructed public officials from performing their duties, would invite stringent legal action. He said the corporation would continue coordinated enforcement drives across the city to safeguard public convenience and maintain civic discipline.
Appeal to businesses
Additional Municipal Commissioner Jai Inder Singh appealed to shopkeepers, street vendors and commercial establishments not to encroach upon public spaces and to maintain cleanliness around their premises. He said strict action, including the issuance of challans, seizure of goods, removal of encroachments and legal proceedings where warranted, would continue against habitual violators.
