Ludhiana, Dec 13 Traffic on the usually congested Katchehri Road between Ghanta Ghar Chowk and Lakkar Bridge is unusually smooth since yesterday morning, following some measures taken by the local traffic police.
A team of traffic policemen descended on the market soon after it opened yesterday and removed encroachments on footpaths. Traffic policemen also prevented autorickshaw drivers from parking their vehicles in front of the shops. The traffic policemen resumed the operation today.
The encroachments on the road by the shopkeepers were pushed as far back as possible. While some of the shopkeepers have retreated gracefully, the others continue to occupy some part of the road.
After todays operation, bicycles and scooters were seen parked in a systematic manner in front of the shops, occupying no extra space than required.
A dealer of newspapers and periodicals thanked Ludhiana Tribune for its anti-encroachment crusade that had helped in reducing the traffic congestion in the market. Another shopkeeper said the improved traffic conditions would not last for long as shopkeepers of the market were incorrigible.
The anti-encroachment wing of the local Municipal Corporation also swung into action today. A team of the department raided the market in the afternoon and seized about 15 rehris. Some of the roadside vendors escaped with their wares, but resumed their businesses soon after the raid. One of them said the vendors were used to such raids didnt bother about these. A couple of rehri-owners also returned to the market within half-an-hour of the raid.
Meanwhile, Mr Jagdish Mehmi, Senior Vice-President of the Clock Tower Traders Association, said the body would issue a circular to all its members, urging them to refrain from encroaching upon roads.
