MC Commissioner conducts surprise check at Hall Bazaar, Town Hall streets

Lapses in hygiene, cleanliness and illegal encroachments around and along the Heritage Street, a major tourist hub and commercial area in the walled city, have been a consistent bane for the district administration.

Today, MC Commissioner Gulpreet Singh Aulakh conducted surprise inspection at streets from the Hall Bazaar leading to Town Hall in the city. During the visit, the MC Commissioner inspected cleanliness, civil works, street lights and illegal encroachments around roads. He directed the officials concerned, who accompanied him, to take the necessary action at the earliest.

As part of his inspection, the MC Commissioner also reviewed the ongoing construction of the Hydraulic Parking at Kairon Market under the Amritsar Smart City project. Water ATMs installed for public convenience on the roads were found to be in working condition.

Aulakh also conducted a surprise inspection of the Motilal Nehru Library located at Town Hall and issued instructions to officials regarding ongoing civil work there. Talking to shopkeepers at the Hall Bazaar, he asked them to remove the unauthorised structures and encroachments within three days.

Aulakh said thousands of pilgrims visit Amritsar daily for religious and historical sightseeing. “Hall Bazaar is one of the city’s key markets and it has also been declared a heritage street. I have observed that many shopkeepers have encroached on footpaths, making it difficult for pedestrians to walk. We have instructed them to clear these encroachments at the earliest. In case of non-compliance, the Estate Department in coordination with traffic police would take appropriate action,” he said.

He directed officials to ensure complete cleanliness from Hall Bazaar to Town Hall, repair any manholes or drains and ensure that all street lights are in working condition. During the Motilal Nehru Library visit, he instructed them that the roof of the library should be repaired at the earliest.

Amritsar