Angul: The ever-growing encroachment problem in Angul town has presently emerged as the bane of its existence. Angul town is expanding and so are the markets.
At the same time, this expansion has given rise to the encroachment problem as well.
It has become a common scene to find shops and market complexes in the town encroaching upon roads and drains, narrowing the roads and obstructing the flow of water through the drains.
The town dwellers alleged that the Angul municipality is hardly taking any steps to free the areas from encroachers. There are over 2,000 shops in Angul municipality area.
Of them, 733 are owned by the municipality itself and are let out for rent. Most importantly, over 300 shopkeepers who are running their businesses from these municipality-owned shops have expanded their shops, encroaching upon roads and drains.
According to some town dwellers, the civic body authority is aware of the fact but not taking any steps to free the areas from encroachment.
Cashing in on the civic body being lenient against the encroachers, other businessmen are following the suit, considering little about the problems faced by the people.
They alleged getting stuck in traffic snarls and meeting with accidents have become regular affairs.
The problem gets aggravated in rainy season. Since the drains and outlet points are obstructed, the rainwater stays on the roads for hours together, giving them a look of ponds.
The place near the Central Lodge needs mention. People passing by it have to wade through knee-deep water every year. The local people ascribe the problem to the encroachment.
Similarly, a jewellery shop in the town has encroached upon a drain. Instead of getting the drain free from the encroachment, the municipality has changed the drain’s direction during repair and construction work.
Far from feeling ashamed for encroaching upon government lands, these shopkeepers are further occupying portions of the roads by spreading their articles.
Consequently, the space for vehicles and pedestrians is getting squeezed, making it difficult even for ambulances to pass through the stretch.
PNN
