Encroachments on Bharathi Street removed

Government removes roadside encroachments in Puducherry's Bharathi Street to improve traffic, traders protest, removal put on hold temporarily.

Several roadside encroachments in the commercial areas of Bharathi Street in Puducherry were removed on Wednesday as part of efforts by the government to improve the traffic scenario in the town.

A team of personnel from the Revenue, Public Works, Local Administration departments with the assistance of police personnel removed concrete structures constructed on pavements and along stormwater drains.

The drive began from Anna Salai end of Bharathi Street around 9.30 a.m., but as it reached the stretch near J. N. Street, traders gathered and staged a protest. As they sought two days’ time, the district administration decided to put on hold the removal of encroachments on the stretch for a few days.

The decision to remove the encroachments was taken at a recent meeting of District Road Safety Committee chaired by Collector A. Kulothungan. The schedule for clearing encroachments along the roads, including hoardings and banners, was prepared at the meeting, according to which the drive would go on till March 4.