NGT tells government, cops to remove encroachments

New Delhi: In a bid to avoid congestion and ease flow of traffic; the National Green Tribunal has directed the traffic police to remove encroachments in the Lajpat Nagar area.

A bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar said that although the Supreme Court has allowed the right of hawkers to work there, they cannot be allowed to encroach roads in an unscrupulous manner.

“Have you seen the roads in the Lajpat Nagar market? You can’t have four lanes for parking and shops and allow the traffic in a single lane. Please look into it and remove the encroachments,” the bench, also comprising Justice Jawad Rahim, said.

The observations came after traders from the area-sought directions for removal of encroachments by street vendors on roads.

The bench sought a report on the status of parking facility on the land available next to Kasturba Niketan till the construction of multi-level parking is completed in the Lajpat Nagar.

The NGT had earlier slammed the authorities concerned for allowing street vendors to encroach space in the market and ordered cycle rickshaws to go off the streets.

The observations came after the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) and traffic police expressed helplessness in removing the hawkers from the metalled roads.

It had asked authorities concerned to submit a report as to why the multi-level parking proposals which are pending for years before the authority are not being implemented and how they would be implemented in a time frame.

The tribunal had also ordered Delhi government to place jersey barriers to ensure vehicles do not take a U-turn from wherever possible leading to traffic disruption