A motor mechanic shop at Aambagan grounds in Sakchi. Picture by Bhola Prasad

Jamshedpur, April 27: The number of vehicles and motor garages in the steel city has increased manifold compar- ed to its population over the past decade.

One would find a motor garage or makeshift two-wheelers’ mechanic shop at every convenient corner of the city. But what appears to be the biggest fallout of the mushrooming of motor garages is encroachment.

A survey conducted by The Telegraph shows that any ground or open space which was previously used for recreational purpose has a garage coming up on that area. Even the playgrounds, where children used to play, have seen mechanics coming up with a garage where to repair four-wheelers.

These all are happening right under the nose of the district administration. Places like Bistupur, Sakchi, Sonari, Golmuri and Kadma bear witness to this menace.

Behind Gajraj Mansion in Bistupur there was a field where children used to play and cultural programmes and religious functions were held but now several repair shops have encroached upon the land. People passing through the area can see around 50 under-repair cars or pick-up vans parked.

Jharkhand High Court has given a standing order to the district administration and police to stop encroachment on open space and roads but the administration appears to have done nothing to check it.

The Aam Bagan ground, where trade fairs were organised, is slowly giving way to innumerable motor garages too. These garages have come up on its periphery, which has reduced the size of the ground.

Yet another example of how garage operators rule the roost is the bypass road behind Voltas building in Bistupur. The road is encroached upon by dozens of trucks, cranes, dumper all the time, which has made the lane narrow, and commuters fall victim to mishaps every now and then.

The garage owners continue to do their business on the South Park Road despite the fact that they have been provided with alternative place beside the Outer Circle Road.

Dhalbhum sub-divisional officer Ranjan Chowdhury said encroachment is a serious problem for the administration but failed to give a satisfactory answer on how they are planning to put a stop to this menace.

“Encroachment is common in the steel city. It is very difficult to remove all the encroachments,” said Chowdhury.

But when asked whether the Jharkhand High Court’s standing order against encroachment has any significance for the district administration Chowdhury parried the query.