Municipality approves encroachment bylaws, vehicles left out

The municipal corporation board on Thursday cleared the encroachment bylaws to penalise those infringing on public spaces. However, the board decided to exclude vehicles -- commercial as well as private -- that are parked illegally, from the bylaws.

The municipal corporation board on Thursday cleared the encroachment bylaws to penalise those infringing on public spaces. However, the board decided to exclude vehicles -- commercial as well as private -- that are parked illegally, from the bylaws.

Those encroaching upon a land temporarily will be fined Rs10-Rs20 per sft, per day. (Sakib Ali/HT)

The bylaws provides for penalty on temporary and permanent encroachments in public places or government land. Those encroaching upon a land temporarily will be fined Rs10-Rs20 per sft, per day. The penalty will be doubled if the offence is committed the next day and notice will also be served for removal of encroachments, failing which it will be demolished by the corporation.

The board decided to leave out commercial vehicles such as trucks from its ambit.

“Since there is no designated parking space for trucks and commercial vehicles, and no transport nagar designated for their operations, we have decided to exclude commercial vehicles from the bylaws,” Ashu Verma, Ghaziabad mayor, said.

On June 22, the executive committee had left out two-wheeler and cars from the proposal, after opposition from the executive committee members. However, it is to be noted that vehicles parked on roadsides, highways and other public places hinder traffic movement and have also resulted in a number of accidents in the past.

Officials said that those who have set up permanent establishments upon encroached land will be fined Rs200 per sft, per day, and the amount will be doubled for a second violation on consecutive days.

Further, the board decided that all the fines will be collected only by designated officers of the municipal corporation.

“We will tell the designated officers to realise penalties equivalent to their monthly salaries. Further, we have also decided that ramps outside households will be allowed up to the maximum width of the residence’s front door. In many instances, residents have built ramps on the entire area of their houses, over the drains. Part of ramps that are covering the drains will be demolished after the penalty is levied. Kiosks/stalls operating over drains are also included under the ambit of the bylaws,” Abdul Samad, municipal commissioner, said.