Agartala, Sep 30, 2023, TRIPURATIMES Desk

Agartala Sept 30: The anti-encroachment squad of Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) led by Additional Commissioner Muhammad Sajjad P under the directions of AMC Mayor Dipak Majumder on Saturday demolished many shops and stalls built illegally on public property.

Accompanied by police and other security personnel, the AMC team carried out the operation in Battala Mahadev Bari – Dashamighat Road, Ambedkar School area in a bid to free the road side meant for pedestrians.

Informing about the drive, Mayor Dipak Majumder said, “The drive is aimed to make the city clean and free for uninterrupted movement of traffic and common people”.

“All roads and footpaths are made free from illegal encroachment by vendors who have made temporary or permanent structures, thus interrupting the movement of common people”, he said.

Only those having proper vendor license and are doing business in particular vendor zones will be allowed to run their shops or stalls, said Majumder.

Asserting that the state government or AMC is not against the businessmen, the Mayor said, “Many poor families are earning livelihood through small tea stalls, fast food shops and others set up at the side of the roads. We are not against any businessmen and also the drive is not targeting street vendors as they are protected under Tripura Street Vendors Act. AMC has provided identity cards and also designated proper areas where they can do business. But the illegal encroachments that is hampering the traffic movement will be evicted”.

The Mayor further said, “No Fast Food shop in the city will be allowed to be kept open after 11:00 pm at night”. This is to fight against the rampant drug-abuse in the city and adjoining areas, he said.

Dipak Majumder also mentioned that from Saturday evening all such stalls and shops set up by occupying space at the road sides over the cover drains will be evicted to ensure free foot path for pedestrians.

“The state government, AMC and traffic department are working towards making the city beautiful and free from traffic congestion and to ensure smooth movement of the common masses especially the pedestrians, the drive will continue till Durga puja in all major areas of the city”, he said.