LG orders drive against encroachment on 29 major corridors

NEW DELHI: Chairing two important meetings at Raj Niwas, Lieutenant-Governor Anil Baijal on Friday directed Delhi traffic police to start a drive against encroachment on 29 major corridors identified by Delhi High Court. In another meeting on law & order, he reviewed the action taken to curb the menace of drug and liquor abuse, particularly among youngsters. The meeting was attended by Satyendar Jain, Urban development Principal Secretary, Special CP (Traffic), Delhi Police, Chairman, NDMC, Commissioner, East MCD, Commissioner, North MCD.

The LG also directed traffic police to ensure strict enforcement of lane discipline by four wheeled and above goods vehicles and buses in the designated bus lanes on 29 corridors.

Baijal directed Special Secretary CP (Traffic), Delhi Police to publicize its twitter handle and Whatsapp number for reporting traffic violations. The concerned municipal corporations were directed to penalize the unauthorized parked vehicles as per their municipal laws i.e. as per the weight of the vehicle. The LG stated that the commissioners of three corporations and the senior officers of Delhi Traffic Police should jointly and regularly monitor the action taken and ensure that comprehensive encroachment removal action is taken & re-encroachment is prevented. Meanwhile, the LG chaired a law & order meeting and directed Delhi Police to make an elaborate presentation in this regard and discussed various facets of this problem. The various legal provisions were explained in detail too in reference to the action taken by Delhi Police and Excise Department. Delhi Police informed about the areas of Delhi with the maximum registration of cases under NDPS Act. It was also apprised that bootlegging from neighbouring states in slum areas/re-settlement colonies/unauthorized colonies, open drinking, etc are main problems. "The Department also apprised about the various shortcomings of the licensed country liquor shops of the State Corporation," said a senior officer.

To overcome these problems, it was suggested that effective awareness campaigns in the media must be undertaken. Further, there needs to be a combined effort for provision of better de-addiction facilities and vocational training to those who have successfully gone through rehabilitation so that they have meaningful livelihood opportunities. In this regarding, the LG ordered constitution of a taskforce to have a coordinated and structured mechanism to integrate efforts for de-addiction, skilling and rehabilitation.