Patna: The district administration will launch anti-encroachment drive in the New Capital, Bankipore, Kankerbagh and Patna City circles under Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC).

The special drive will start from July 16 and continue till August 14.

During the anti-encroachment drive, the administration will focus on illegal cowsheds, stray animals, sale of meat and fish in the open, illegal hoardings and more.

"After the successful anti-encroachment drive in the Bypass area, the need to continue the drive was felt and for that, a special team has been formed," said district magistrate (DM) Kumar Ravi.

"There will be proper deployment of the magistrates as well as the police force. They have been ordered to report to the respective circle officer and rush to the spot where they will be deployed. The magistrates and the police force will reach the respective circular office by 10am and will be at the spot till 4pm. Their main task will be to maintain law and order at the time of the drive."

Sources in the district magistrate's office said the drive has been prompted by the high court's disappointment at the traffic system in Patna in which encroachment poses the biggest obstacle to smooth vehicular flow.

The Patna district magistrate has asked the official concerned to ensure that the report is sent to the control room by 4pm everyday by email and hard copy.

To deal with any untoward situation, the police officers have been asked to ensure that water cannon, anti-riot vehicles and tear gas equipment should be on standby.

The police control room has been ordered to ensure the presence of the force and all station house officers (SHOs) in their respective areas during the anti-encroachment drive.

"It is very important for the SHO to be present at the spot to maintain law and order. They will also observe that soon after drive the encroachers do not return to the spot. I have also instructed that during the drive, a fire brigade unit must be present in very circle," Ravi stressed.

Encroachment is a major issue in Patna owing to which vehicles crawl. On several occasions, the administration has taken action against illegal vendors but they just return to their place after a few days.

The district magistrate has launched a similar drive from June 15 to July 14 in the Bypass area, where trucks filled with sand, stone chips, bamboos, bricks and TMT bars used to be parked on the road, triggering traffic snarls.

The cascading effect of the traffic jam at Bypass was visible in the city, causing problems for vehicles going out of Patna and vice-versa.

However, the traffic flow on Bypass has become smooth.