Raipur, October 17. In a move to ease traffic congestion and ensure the smooth operation of public transport, the Raipur Traffic Police, in coordination with the Municipal Corporation, removed unauthorised encroachments and roadside carts from beneath the Pachpedi Naka overbridge and MMI underbridge on Saturday.
The action followed decisions taken at a coordination meeting held on October 14 under the chairpersonship of DCP (Traffic) Dr Archana Jha. The meeting was attended by bus operators and senior officials of the Regional Transport Office (RTO), Municipal Corporation and Traffic Police.
During the meeting, bus operators highlighted that fruit vendors had encroached upon designated passenger pick-up and drop-off points beneath the two bridges. As a result, buses were being forced to stop on the main road to board and alight passengers, leading to traffic congestion and an increased risk of road accidents.
Taking note of the problem, the meeting decided to clear encroachments at both locations and ensure the orderly parking and stopping of buses.
Acting on the decision, a joint team of the Traffic Police and the Municipal Corporation’s flying squad conducted an anti-encroachment drive, removing unauthorised structures and roadside carts from the designated areas. The operation cleared the bus stopping bays, enabling buses to pick up and drop off passengers at designated locations and helping reduce traffic pressure on the main roads.
The Traffic Police said that unauthorised occupation of sensitive locations, including major intersections, areas beneath overbridges and designated bus stops, would not be tolerated. The anti-encroachment drive will continue in coordination with the Municipal Corporation in the coming days.
Appeal to Street Vendors
The Traffic Police appealed to fruit and vegetable vendors and other small traders not to obstruct bus stops, intersections or public roads by setting up carts or shops. They were advised to conduct business only in designated vending zones and cooperate with the administration in maintaining smooth and safe traffic movement in the city.
