E-Paper
Is KDA preparing for a sealing drive?
CITY TRADERS are a worried lot with reports that the Kanpur Development Authority (KDA) is planning a sealing drive in residential areas against commercial establishments on the patterns of the drive conducted in New Delhi recently.
CITY TRADERS are a worried lot with reports that the Kanpur Development Authority (KDA) is planning a sealing drive in residential areas against commercial establishments on the patterns of the drive conducted in New Delhi recently.
The KDA authorities have prepared a list of about 200 buildings, after a thorough survey, in residential areas of the city.
According to sources, KDA officials were busy preparing case diaries for ‘illegal commercial buildings’ in areas of Swarup Nagar, Tilak Nagar, Arya Nagar, Lajpat Nagar, McRobertsganj, Pandu Nagar, Civil Lines, Mainavati Nagar and Shashtri Nagar. Surveyed structures include shops, apartments, schools, colleges, nursing homes, guest houses and marriage halls.
Complete details of all these buildings are being on all aspects of land use, clearance of maps by officials etc. According to KDA Vice-Chairman Deepak Kumar, illegal buildings “will have to go from the city”.
The KDA is in no mood to compromise on this issue. On the other hand, KDA secretary Bhupinder Singh denied any list being prepared on the pattern of the sealing drive in New Delhi.
He said, “We have not planned anything extraordinary like in New Delhi but we have other plans which suit Kanpur. Surely commercial activities in the residential areas cannot be allowed and it’s the duty of the KDA to act against illegal buildings disturbing traffic and destroying the peace of residents.”
KDA officials are awaiting availability of the police force to began the sealing drive. On conditions of anonymity, another KDA official said, “We are planning to act as soon as the police force is made available to us.”
The traders, on their part, are prepared to take to the streets if a sealing drive is launched. Akhil Bharatiya Udyog Vyapar Mandal Shyam president Behari Mishra said, “Number of illegal colonies have mushroomed right under the nose of KDA officials. Why they don’t act against them? Why are they targeting only traders.
We will oppose any move to seal commercial establishments in the city. We will show the strength of traders on the roads if the KDA begins such a drive.”artanupam@gmail.com
