Encroachments removed along Telibandha Lake

Raipur: Encroachments, including one dozen shops, on the roadside near Telibandha lake were demolished in Raipur on Thursday. Officials of the Raipur Municipal Corporation (RMC) and the police oversaw the demolition drive that led to removal of around 40 petty shops and roadside stalls. As many as four bulldozers and several trucks were pressed into operation. The aim of the drive was to reorganize the city. Officials said the roadside choupatis was leading to traffic chaos at Telibandha lake, which is the most happening location of the city. Meanwhile. the shopkeepers had a verbal duel with the RMC officials. They termed it as one-sided action and injustice to them. “There is currently no arrangement on the road below the expressway where there is preparation to shift the Choupati. The road remains deserted, there is no street light. There is a gathering of anti-social elements. Here the work of path way, dustbin, lighting etc. is proposed. But all these works are stuck,” one of the shopkeppers told TOI.