Poonch Jan 6: A massive anti-encroachment drive was launched on Tuesday in the busy Surankote market area of Poonch district, where large-scale road and footpath encroachments by shopkeepers had been causing inconvenience to the general public.
Officials said the drive was carried out by the Surankote Municipality, targeting shops that had illegally extended their business onto roads and footpaths by displaying merchandise outside their premises. Such encroachments had severely hampered pedestrian movement and disrupted the smooth flow of traffic in the market area.
During the drive, municipal teams removed encroachments, seized illegally displayed merchandise and imposed fines on violators. Officials said the action was taken after repeated warnings to shopkeepers to clear public spaces, which had largely gone unheeded.
Locals and market visitors welcomed the initiative, stating that the encroachments had made movement difficult, particularly for elderly people, women and children. They lauded the municipality for taking firm action in the larger public interest and restoring order in the congested market.
Municipal officials said similar drives would continue in the coming days to ensure that roads and footpaths remain free from encroachments. They urged traders to cooperate with the administration and restrict their business activities to within permitted limits.
Authorities said the aim of the drive was not to harass traders but to ensure public convenience, safety and proper utilization of civic spaces in Surankote town. (CNS)
