Officials stated that shopkeepers had encroached nearly 7-8 feet of the road by placing tables and selling meat outside their outlets
Hyderabad: The GHMC with the Malakpet traffic police demolished seven roadside shops, including five selling mutton and two fish, in Saidabad on Thursday. GHMC officials said they were acting on complaints from residents who claimed that these shops were creating traffic congestion at the left turn from Saidabad main road, leading to Poosala Basti Road.
Officials stated that shopkeepers had encroached nearly 7-8 feet of the road by placing tables and selling meat outside their outlets. The situation worsened as customers parked their vehicles in front of the shops.
“These encroachments were affecting the traffic movement. After multiple complaints from residents, we took action to clear the area,” said a GHMC official.
“Despite being informed about the demolition two days in advance, the shop owners argued that they had been operating there for nearly from the past 60-70 years. But currently they can continue their business from inside their shops, but any further encroachment will lead to strict action by traffic police,” the official added.
Shop owners alleged that GHMC officials informed them just a day before about the demolition. “Claiming that it’s causing a problem to the locals, the officials have demolished our shop, which we’ve been running for 50 years. My grandfather and father relied on this business. We’re left with no other option but to run our business inside the shop,” said Mohammad Sharif, a Mutton Shop Owner.
Locals supported the action taken by the GHMC, stating that the encroachments and parked vehicles created problems for commuters. “The removal of these encroachments will now help to reduce traffic congestion,” said Subash, a resident.
The authorities said that similar action would be taken in other areas facing encroachments. “We will identify more traffic bottlenecks and take necessary action to maintain smooth traffic flow and safer roads,” the GHMC official stated.
