Residents of Vasundhara, Indirapuram, Shalimar Garden, and other parts of Ghaziabad have raised complaints about increasing encroachments on roads and footpaths by shops, vendors, temporary structures, and illegally parked vehicles. These encroachments not only create traffic congestion and safety hazards but also severely affect pedestrian movement and emergency access, while undermining cleanliness and the environment, residents say.
Impact on vulnerable groups
“Senior citizens, schoolchildren, women, and differently abled citizens are the worst affected,” said Vishal Singh, a resident of Vasundhara. The encroachments force pedestrians onto roads, increasing accident risks and making daily commutes difficult.
Demand for long-term solution
Residents have written to the Uttar Pradesh chief secretary, asking for a long-term solution to this persistent problem. They also suggested several practical, people-friendly systems to manage roadside and footpath encroachments in a lasting way.
Proposed measures
“Some ways to manage these issues are: a clear legal definition of public road and footpath encroachment, a pavement licensing system for shops and cafes, dedicated enforcement and monitoring teams, digital complaint systems with mobile app reporting, a time-bound warning and penalty system for repeat violators,” said Pradeep Gupta, a resident of Shalimar Garden, who wrote the letter to the UP chief secretary. He added that Uttar Pradesh is rapidly progressing towards becoming a modern urban state; hence, adopting such globally proven municipal management practices can significantly improve traffic management, urban cleanliness, public safety, ease of movement, smart city governance, and overall civic discipline.
Urgent policy direction needed
Surendra Kumar from Abhay Khand, Indirapuram, urged authorities to issue appropriate policy directions to urban local bodies, development authorities, and municipal corporations to implement best practices in this regard. A response from officials concerned is awaited on the matter.
