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Fortnight-long, anti-encroachment drive begins in Uttar Pradesh
The drive that will continue till April 15 will also target those traffic and transport personnel who fleece commuters and commercial vehicles in the name of illegal toll barriers.
The state government has initiated a 15 days state-wide special drive from Saturday to remove encroachments on roads, illegal taxi stands, rickshaw stands and bus stands.
The drive that will continue till April 15 will also target those traffic and transport personnel who fleece commuters and commercial vehicles in the name of illegal toll barriers.
According to a press note issued by the state government on Saturday, principal secretary (Home) Sanjay Prasad has issued strict directions to all divisional commissioners, police commissioners, district magistrates and district police chiefs in this regard.
According to the press note, Prasad has directed that constitution of joint teams of district administration, police, local bodies, and Public Works Department officials to carry out drives to curb such illegal activities on road and prevent traffic chaos.
For smooth traffic movement, the authorities have been directed to remove encroachments and illegal hoardings on highways, check illegal markets and roadside vendors.
According to the press note, Prasad ordered officials to ensure a complete curb on practice of money minting by traffic and transport department personnel in the name of illegal toll barriers. Prasad also ordered officials to take strict action against people involved in such types of activities and identify such road transport mafioso, according to the press note.
Earlier in August 2022, the survey report was prepared regarding the causes behind traffic chaos on the three highways of Lucknow by joint team of National Highway Authority of India, Lucknow Development Authority, police, and local administration. The report was put up during the review meeting held on the issue by the then additional chief secretary, Home, Awanish Awasthi after which a further action plan was prepared to decongest all highways across the state.
The survey report suggested that the vehicles parked outside these roadside dhabas were the major reason in slowing down and blocking the traffic movement on highways.
On July 31, 2022, chief minister Yogi Adityanath had expressed his concern over increasing traffic chaos on highways leading to multi-hours of jam. Moreover, the former Lucknow Commissioner of Police (CP) DK Thakur had to face the brunt and was removed from the post for not being able to find a solution for this traffic chaos.
