Deb drive to clear roads & footpaths

TT, 7 August 2019, Siliguri: Bengal tourism minister Gautam Deb will hit the streets to remove encroachments from pavements and control the irregular traffic and indiscriminate parking of vehicles on all major roads in Siliguri from August 10.

On Tuesday, he held a meeting with officials of the Siliguri Metropolitan Police, public works department officials, Siliguri Jalpaiguri Development Authority and Siliguri Municipal Corporation on the issues.

"All major roads of Siliguri like Hill Cart Road, Sevoke Road, Burdwan Road and SF Road are maintained by the PWD and pavements of most of these roads are occupied by a section of hawkers. There is hardly any space left for pedestrians. Also, a section of shopowners keep their wares on the footpath which also make it inconvenient for people to walk. I have spoken to police officials and officers of other departments and agencies concerned. We will jointly launch a drive on August 10 so that such encroachments can be cleared," said Deb.

The minister also mentioned that during the drive, he would also see that parking of vehicles was regularised on those roads.

"People park their twowheelers and cars in a such manner on these roads that traffic congestion is created. Also, two-wheelers and rickshaw vans are even parked on footpaths. Such practices should be stopped. There should be a monitoring mechanism to prevent such parking so that the roads remain clear," the minister added.

Sources in the tourism department said ahead of the festive season, the minister had decided to make all efforts to provide hassle-free traffic to the residents.

As part of the move, the administration has already imposed restriction on the movement of e-rickshaws on these roads. There is also a plan to replace the city autos with four-wheelers.

Trinamul insiders, when told about Deb's plans, hinted that it is also a political strategy to highlight the alleged failure of the local civic body.

"Usually, such drives are taken by the civic authorities but here, they have not addressed these issues so far. The Left board at the SMC has failed even to provide the basic civic services and right from drinking water supply to collection and disposal of garbage, everything is in shambles. In such a situation, we want to drive home the point that a minister has to get down to the roads to clear encroachments and to regularise parking for better traffic movement," said a party insider.