Anti-encroachment drive collects Rs47k fines from offenders in Patna

Patna: Acting on the directions of district magistrate (DM) Thiyagarajan S M, a multi-agency task force carried out an anti-encroachment drive across the city on Wednesday, clearing illegal structures and collecting fines totalling Rs47,400. The DM has ordered strict monitoring and FIRs against repeat violators to ensure cleared areas are not reoccupied.The DM directed sub-divisional officers and sub-divisional police officers to monitor the campaign and deploy follow-up teams to prevent the re-occupation of cleared areas. He ordered the registration of FIRs against repeat offenders and instructed police to document all removals in station diaries.Teams cleared temporary structures, carts, and illegal banners in several zones. The Bankipore circle removed encroachments near Rajendra Nagar and collected Rs 14,000 in fines. In Kankarbagh, authorities dismantled huts near Khemnichak Metro Station. The Danapur Nizamat and Khagaul circles cleared sections of Nehru Path and the railway station area, collecting Rs 7,000 and Rs 1,000, respectively. Operations in the Nutan Rajdhani, Pataliputra, Azimabad, Patna City, and Phulwarisharif circles resulted in the seizure of kiosks and the removal of illegal signage.The DM established a five-member monitoring cell comprising of senior officials to oversee the campaign. Traffic police also conducted vehicle inspections along with the drive. The administration stated that traffic management is the primary focus and that the anti-encroachment drive will continue regularly.