Encroachments removed from Sirsa auto market, shopkeepers protest

After numerous complaints and a long wait, the Municipal Council finally launched an encroachment-removal campaign in the city’s Auto Market on Thursday.

Led by Chief Sanitation Inspector Jaiveer Singh, the operation aimed to clear unauthorised items like signboards, hoardings and goods that had been placed outside shops and along dividers. These items were removed using earth-moving machines and taken into possession by the municipal team.

The decision to begin the campaign came after continuous reports of problems caused by local shopkeepers who had encroached upon the roads and sidewalks. Despite the growing public complaints, there had been little action from the administration.

It wasn’t until local residents and the media highlighted the issue repeatedly that the authorities decided to step in.

The residents of the city, witnessing encroachments in almost every major market, have demanded that this campaign be extended throughout the city as these blockages are leading to severe traffic congestion in various areas.

During the campaign, shopkeepers expressed strong opposition. They claimed they had not received prior notice and argued that if they had, they would have removed their goods. They also criticised the Municipal Council for not properly maintaining cleanliness in the market, blaming them for the accumulation of garbage.

In response, municipal officials pointed out that the shopkeepers themselves were responsible for spreading litter. They alleged that rather than placing their trash in the designated garbage trucks, the shopkeepers were throwing it on the streets, adding to the mess. To support this, an officer mentioned that a garbage truck visits the Auto Market every day, with video proof of the service.

Two days before the campaign, the shopkeepers had been warned — through public announcements — to clear their encroachments. However, they continued to block the streets and sidewalks, leading to problems like traffic jams and waterlogging during rainfall, making it difficult for both pedestrians and vehicles to pass.

Additionally, the parking area in the market had been occupied by scrap dealers, leaving no space for vehicles. The Municipal Council assured the shopkeepers that they would address this scrap issue and clear it from the parking space.

Jaiveer Singh, Chief Sanitation Inspector, told the shopkeepers that the campaign would continue until the area was completely cleared. So, they should cooperate by removing their encroachments. He urged them to join in the effort to maintain a clean and organised city. The goal of the campaign was not just to make the streets cleaner and more accessible to the public but also to organise the market area for the benefit of both local residents and business owners.

This drive is just the beginning as many believe that similar campaigns should be conducted across all major markets in the city, where encroachments continue to create traffic problems and safety hazards. The city’s residents are hopeful that these actions would lead to long-term improvements in urban planning and cleanliness.

Haryana Tribune