Patna: The district administration collected a total fine of Rs 1.09 lakh and removed several temporary encroachments in the city on the first day of a weeklong anti-encroachment drive on Monday. The drive was conducted in three circles of Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC).
The multi-agency campaign is being conducted across the four circles of the PMC — New Capital, Patliputra, Bankipur and Kankarbagh — as well as in Danapur Municipal Council area on the direction of divisional commissioner Kumar Ravi.
A total of five teams of officials from district administration, municipal corporation, traffic police, transport, revenue, road construction, health, police, power and fire departments, besides bridge construction corporation, telecommunications and forest division have been formed for the drive.
On the day, the anti-encroachment drive was conducted in Bankipur circle from 10.15 am to 5.00 pm, while in New Capital and Patliputra circles from 10.00 am to 2.00 pm.
In Bankipur, temporary encroachments were removed from Bazar Samiti and Pirmuhani areas. A roadside vendor’s stall was seized, while a total fine of Rs 43,000 was collected from the owner.
In the New Capital circle, temporary encroachments were removed from Income Tax roundabout to Sheikhpura crossing on Nehru Path (Bailey Road). A total fine of Rs 58,500 was collected in the circle.
In the Patliputra circle, temporary encroachments were removed from area between the Boring Road intersection and A N College. Ten banners were removed, and two four-wheeler carts, two stalls, a betel cart and two iron stands, were seized. A fine of Rs 8,000 was collected in the circle.
Divisional commissioner Kumar Ravi said the anti-encroachment drive will be conducted on a regular basis. “Cases will be registered against those who encroach the area again. Senior superintendent of police, Patna, will ensure that encroachment does not happen and the concerned subdivisional police officers and station house officers will have to monitor the situation.”
A five-member monitoring cell, under the leadership of Patna district magistrate Chandrashekhar Singh, has been formed to effectively implement the anti-encroachment drive. The team consists of additional district magistrate (law and order), superintendent of police (law and order), traffic SP, additional municipal commissioner of PMC and city magistrate-cum-executive magistrate, district control room, Patna.
“The officials concerned have been instructed to take strict action against those who create obstacles in the anti-encroachment drive and take legal action against them if necessary. Streamlined traffic management is the top priority of the administration. Zero tolerance will be shown towards traffic congestion, encroachment and violation of traffic rules,” said Ravi. The commissioner also directed the subdivisional officers to form special teams to conduct the anti-encroachment drive in their respective areas and to work in coordination with the monitoring cell.