Admn plans special cell to remove encroachment in Kashmir

The divisional administration in Kashmir is planning to set up a special cell to remove the encroachments in the summer capital of the state.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Shailendra Kumar has asked Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Farooq Ahmad Shah to look into the possibility of setting up of an anti-encroachment cell under his direct supervision, official sources said.
The preliminary aim is to ensure that there is free movement of traffic in the city and all impediments to it are removed, Kumar said.
"We also want the city to look better in all respects," he added.
Large number of complaints have been received both in Divisional Commissioner's office and the office of Deputy Commissioner Srinagar about illegal constructions and encroachment of public property in the city over the past one year, sources said.

The complainants have alleged that the encroachments and illegal constructions are happening with active connivance of the officials of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation, they said.
From around 1200 footpath vendors along the Residency Road-Batamaloo road in 2011, the number has shot up by nearly six times to 7,000, sources said.