The civic body is conducting an exhaustive anti-encroachment drive in the city. Piyush Kumar Tripathi spoke to municipal commissioner Jai Singh on the future course of action and rehabilitation of evicted vendors

♦ What steps are being taken to prevent the return of the encroachers?

At present, we are collecting fine from encroachers. If any encroacher returns, we shall lodge FIR against the person concerned.

♦ What is being done to remove encroachment from internal roads?

We are focusing on main roads in the present phase. Removing encroachment on internal roads is also our priority and we shall conduct similar drives within a few weeks.

♦ What actions are being taken against meat shops?

Meat shops are not permitted within 50m of main roads and they need to be covered. Even the high court and the Supreme Court have issued directives in this regard. We are taking action against the meat shop owners violating the norms under the ongoing drive. A number of meat shop owners near the Boring Road crossing were penalised on Monday.

♦ What is being done for the rehabilitation of unauthorised vendors?

Vendors settled at a place for at least five years would only be rehabilitated. We are identifying such vendors under the ongoing drive. We have recently sent a proposal to the urban development and road construction departments for developing a vending zone on Serpentine Road for the vendors of Boring Road and Boring Canal Road.

♦ What is being done to remove encroachers from the station area?

I acknowledge that the encroachment menace is rampant in the station area. We are trying to come up with a plan of action for removing the encroachers from there but that would be separate from the ongoing drive.

♦ How long would this drive continue?

Anti-encroachment drive is a continuous process but this exhaustive exercise would continue till August 26. Follow-up action would be initiated later.