Hassan: Corporation clears encroachments on footpaths

Officers of the Hassan City Corporation on Friday conducted a drive to clear footpaths of encroachments.

The staff removed hoardings, mobile canteens and stalls put up on the footpaths of B.M. Road, AVK College Road, M.G. Road and other adjoining roads in the heart of the city. The officers defended the action, saying the clearance of footpaths was essential for the benefit of pedestrians.

Commissioner R. Krishnamurthy said the drive would continue until all footpath encroachments in the city were cleared. “The street vendors had been asked to vacate the place well in advance. On Thursday too, the officers warned people to remove their belongings. We removed the structures that still remained even after repeated warnings,” he said.

The Commissioner said it was the duty of the urban local body to ensure that pedestrians could move freely. “We will conduct the drive at Dairy Circle and surrounding roads on Saturday. Shopkeepers who have set up stalls on the footpaths should clear them voluntarily in advance. Otherwise, our staff will remove them,” he said.