Srinagar, July 20: Despite government instructions that no footpath encroachments or roadside showcasing of goods by shopkeepers be allowed in Srinagar, the menace hinders smooth movement of people in the City centre areas than to talk of elsewhere.
 The scene is no different even at Jehangir Chowk, which is barely a few yards away from the Civil Secretariat. Near there the shopkeepers display their goods on the roads, much against the government directions.
 While pedestrians complain that roadside showcasing of goods hinders their smooth movement, the parking in the area also remains affected.
 Similar is the scene at a parking space adjacent to Women’s College MA Road, where bike dealers keep scores of two wheelers showcased on the prized land where cars could be parked.
 As about Karan Nagar, a vital link between SMHS and SKIMS, the two prime hospitals of Kashmir; the scene is no different either. Scores of shopkeepers keep their goods, mostly vehicles, parked on the road and the footpaths thereby hindering public movement.
 Though the SMC officials said notices have been served to the accused, till now no action has been taken.
 Eyebrows are equally being raised over the police particularly its Traffic wing for failing to take action against the accused.
 This is despite the fact that the government top brass including Deputy Chief Minister, Tara Chand, MOS Home and MLA Amira Kadal, Nasir Aslam Wani have directed the concerned to keep a check on the menace.
 As about the Traffic police, the department had claimed that no “messy scene would be allowed in the City centre areas so that public movement remains hassle-free.” But the ground situation reveals a different picture.
 On the other hand eyebrows are being raised over the inspections undertaken by the Srinagar Municipal Corporation in the past few years.
 “What mostly happened in the past few years of symbolic drives against encroachments was that every time the issue was projected of having turned into some law and order problem and subsequently the inspection was aborted,” said a senior SMC official requesting not to be named.
 He said if the police coordinates with the SMC, a massive drive could be launched to keep a check on the menace.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 20 Jul 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 20 Jul 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 21 Jul 2012 00:00:00 IST