Chamba police crack down on illegal parking, encroachments

In a strong move against growing encroachments and traffic chaos, the Chamba police on Friday conducted a drive to inspect key areas of Chamba town, targeting haphazardly parked vehicles and unauthorized street vendors occupying public spaces. Deputy Superintendent of Police Jitender Kumar led the operation.

During the inspection, several vehicles parked randomly on roadsides were removed and challaned. The police also acted against makeshift shops, street hawkers, and shopkeepers who had encroached upon the roads by displaying their goods beyond permissible limits. Many were warned, while some were fined on the spot. The DSP instructed all shopkeepers to keep their merchandise within their shop boundaries and warned of strict action against repeat violations.

“Vendors and shopkeepers who continue to occupy public spaces illegally will face seizure of their goods,” said Kumar. He also emphasized the importance of following traffic rules and maintaining clear passageways for public safety.

The situation in Chamba town has worsened due to a lack of proper parking facilities. Motorists frequently park their vehicles in any available space, leading to daily traffic congestion. The problem has been exacerbated since the opening of the new bus stand at Tatwani, as the connecting one-kilometer stretch is now heavily encroached upon, causing inconvenience and posing risks to pedestrians.

Despite previous enforcement efforts by the administration and municipal council, illegal encroachments keep resurfacing. Locals have demanded stricter and more permanent action to prevent recurrence. The DSP assured that such inspections will continue, and stricter enforcement measures will follow to restore order and ensure smooth movement in the town.

Himachal Tribune