AGARTALA, December 11 (TIWN): Notwithstanding the claims of Agartala Municipal Corporation to evacuate the street vendors illegally occupying footpaths at various places in the City, the road encroachments continue to irk people.

The footpaths at Battala bridge and adjoining areas like Battala super market and Battala fitting market are often occupied by the footpath vendors who sell their merchandise from the sites. Officials said presently around 200 to 250 vendors operate between Battala and City center area.    

The encroachments irk the movement of the pedestrians and also lead to traffic congestion.
 Instead of walking straight on the sidewalks, the pedestrians have to meander on the roads affecting the traffic flow apart from risking their lives.  

The plight seems worst on the Battala bridge where you hardly find space for vehicles to move as most part of the bridge is occupied by the footpath vendors.

Even though the place is manned by police and the officials of AMC are also aware of the encroachments, no action is being taken against the offenders.

“We face two big problems in our City, the first is the traffic jams and second is the encroachment of the roads and both the problems are inter-related,” said Rajesh Saha a daily commuter.

He said, “Our roads are already narrow and the encroachments have augmented public woes.”
 He questioned the utility of the footpaths and blamed the police and AMC for allowing the encroachments.