Footpaths encroached by traders causing problem to pedestrians in Karimnagar town

Whenever the issue of footpath encroachment came to the fore, municipal authorities would act strictly by clearing a few occupations but the issue would slowly be forgotten later

Karimnagar: Footpaths have disappeared in Karimnagar town.Yes. You heard it right. Most of the footpaths in the town have been occupied by traders, forcing pedestrians to risk their lives by walking on the road.

As part of the Karimnagar Smart City programme, roads in the town were developed adhering the international standards. Besides laying high quality roads, footpaths were also developed for the convenience of pedestrians. However, the entire exercise has been defeated with traders encroaching the footpaths.

While small traders such as roadside vendors, pushcart owners, vegetable and fruit vendors were continuing sales on the footpath itself, owners of different shops are also occupying them by placing articles which they sell.

In the latest development, a few mechanics are repairing cars by occupying the Smart City road footpaths. Interestingly, despite this happening right beside the main entrance of the District Collectorate, officials have ignoring the blatant encroachment of public space.

Whenever the issue of footpath encroachment came to the fore, municipal authorities would act strictly by clearing a few occupations but the issue would slowly be forgotten later. After a few days, traders resume their businesses on footpaths.

In order to put an end to encroachments, municipal officials had taken out a special drive with the slogan ‘Save Footpaths’ in January 2021. Besides clearing all encroachments, authorities warned to take legal action against owners of shops and other vendors, who occupy footpaths.

However, the drive and the slogan were forgotten after a few days.

The issue came to the fore in January 2022 when four roadside traders died in a road accident near the Kaman on the Hyderabad road.

Acting seriously on the issue, local MLA and the then BC Welfare and Civil Supplies Minister Gangula Kamalakar constituted a committee under the aegis of the then Additional Collector Garima Agarwal to remove all encroachments and ensure that there would not be any encroachment in the future.

However, the situation was back to as it was without much delay.

On the other hand, people are also facing problems with many owners parking their cars on the roads. In Ganeshnagar, a slab was laid by covering a big nala. People residing in nearby apartments are parking their cars on the slab.