Ranchi: The Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) on Tuesday carried out an anti-encroachment drive near a temple on Main Road, removing roadside stalls and other unauthorised structures from the premises ahead of Durga Puja.The drive was conducted to clear the congested stretch and facilitate the movement of pedestrians and vehicles during the festival.RMC city manager Mrinal Kumar said several shops had been operating near the temple for a long time. “The shops included stalls selling tea, clothes, cold drinks and food items. Three notices were served over a period of three months before action was taken on the directions of senior officials,” he said.The removal of the stalls has opened up space around the temple, where shops and food outlets had reduced the area available for visitors and pedestrians.Officials said the action was necessary as Main Road is expected to witness heavy footfall during Durga Puja. Clearing the encroachments would help prevent overcrowding around the temple, they added.Additional municipal commissioner Sanjay Kumar said he had visited the area last week and found several encroachments on the temple premises. “Such occupation affects the aesthetics of the area,” he said.He added that the civic body would soon take action against encroachments along the adjoining stretch of Main Road. “The encroachments in the adjoining areas will also be removed in the coming days. The drive will be carried out with proper planning and in coordination with the traffic police,” Kumar said.He said the civic body would ensure that the movement of people during the festival was not affected by encroachments or roadside obstructions.
