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Encroachment in lanes upsets Kaushambi residents:-
The entrance to Ghaziabad through the Maharajpur border has always been synonymous with encroachments. But now the tentacles of the menace have spread to the inner lanes of nearby Kaushambi.
The entire Maharjpur border is choked with mushrooming encroachments but the residents of Kaushambi had kept quiet as the entire mess was outside the society lanes. But now the problem has increased with the cropping up of food and tea stalls, barbers, stalls selling clothes, shoes etc., all over the place. Apart from several illegal fruit and vegetable vendors, auto repair shops, eateries and unlicensed bars have also started operating. "Delhi govt. does not permit any vending on their land so Uttar Pradesh has to host all the encroachment," said a resident of Kaushambi.
The encroachment by various vendors inside Kaushambi has increased for the last 15 months. This happened ever since the drive against the encroachments on Dr Burman Road was initiated. The vendors have now shifted inside Kaushambi. These vendors occupy the whole pavements and it has become a hindrance for pedestrians. Most of them shifted to the slip road behind Ganga Apartments.
Again there is an unfinished building lying vacant just behind Ganga Tower. This is also used by anti-social elements as this is located in an isolated place. "Right from the gate, all the shops have started coming inside the premises. All types of vehicles are parked. Due to the vendors, a lot of commercial activity has started taking place in the society. Also the width of the road has decreased causing hindrance in the free movement of traffic," said DD Maheshwari, a resident of Shivalik Aptts., Kaushambi.
Encroachment is also leading to a spurt of crime in the area. Several incidents of chain snatching and lifting of laptops have been reported. Just two weeks ago, a Retd. Major General was attacked while he was going to the bank for depositing money. Such kinds of incidents are creating a scare in the minds of the residents.
"The residents are worried about the situation. This is a multi-fold effect on the air quality and an increase in the noise level. One of the startling facts is that the original settlers, who have moved to Kaushambi for its peaceful atmosphere, are slowly moving out of Kaushambi now," said N Rajamani, president of KARWA.
Despite the fact that even Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam admits to rampant encroachment in the area and is coming up with several drives, no proper remedy is being taken to solve the matter entirely. The issue has been taken with the authorities concerned several times but all in vain. Some drives were carried out. But then after a few days the shops crop up again. Removing the encroachment is the responsibility of the Municipal Corporation and not allowing them to resettle is the responsibility of the police but both plead lack of resources. It should be a coordinated plan action by GDA, GNN and the police. "The main Ghaziabad city is 15-20 km away from Kaushambi. Going to the Authority and the respective offices every time in a good strength is not possible. We also don't feel like cribbing about the problems but then it is a serious matter of concern and the authority should look into the matter sincerely and come up with a permanent solution," says DD Maheshwari.
Interestingly, the city authority blames the entire scenario on the wrong choice of government. Here's the interesting reply, "Until and unless the people decide such problems cannot be resolved. A drive can be carried in a particular area and then its number comes only after a week. The other alternative is to put railings all over the society but that again is a very costly affair. Police too keep quiet as their pockets are being filled. And if we go to the court we fall in difficulty on the grounds of troubling the poorest. So until and unless a proper government does not come up, the problem will keep on recurring. The residents should be aware and give the votes to the right party," says Damyanti Goyal, Mayor, GNN.
This story appeared in Jagran City Plus-New Ghaziabd edition dated 5th Feb., 2010
