A CORRESPONDENT
DIBRUGARH: The Dibrugarh Municipal Corporation (DMC) on Wednesday carried out a major eviction drive targeting illegal vendors and shopkeepers who had encroached upon and obstructed public footpaths in key marketplaces across the town.
The operation covered areas including HS Road, New Market, and Chiring Sapori within the Corporation’s jurisdiction. DMC Commissioner Jay Vikas informed that a dedicated enforcement squad has been formed to address such issues.
“We are training them to monitor and manage encroachments effectively. The team will be in uniform, and all necessary training and resources are being provided,” he said.
Executive Officer of DMC, Novas Das, stated that this is the beginning of a sustained campaign. “From now onwards, DMC personnel will be deployed daily to keep a close watch on such activities and take immediate action against unauthorized establishments,” he said.
The drive aims to restore public footpaths for pedestrian use, ensure smooth traffic flow, and maintain civic order in the town’s busy commercial zones.
It may be mentioned that the Supreme Court of India had recently reaffirmed that the right to clean and safe footpaths was an essential component of the fundamental right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution. The apex court had also directed all States and Union Territories to frame clear guidelines for ensuring pedestrian safety, with specific provisions for persons with physical impairments.
The DMC appealed to vendors and shopkeepers to operate strictly within their allotted spaces and warned that strict action would be taken against repeat offenders. The civic body is also exploring further measures to ensure long-term effectiveness of this initiative.
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