Wai municipal council cracks down on illegal flexes, stalls and drain encroachments

Facing worsening traffic jams and encroachment in Wai city, the municipal council has launched a crackdown. On the instructions of the district collector and superintendent of police, and on the orders of chief officer Sanjeevani Dalvi, the council's anti-encroachment squad took action across different parts of the city on Friday, removing flex boards, banners and hoardings put up without permission.

The drive was not limited to flexes and hoardings. It also targeted illegal stalls obstructing traffic, iron barricades, unauthorised construction on drains, and illegally parked vehicles on roads.

Unauthorised flexes and banners at the city's main squares, markets, key roads and highway approach roads had been marring the city's appearance. Encroachment by unauthorised stalls and shop frontages along roadsides was also causing difficulty for both vehicles and pedestrians. Following repeated complaints from residents, the municipal administration decided to take the matter seriously and act.

The council's squad reached Kisanveer Chowk, Ganpati Aali, the vegetable market area and main roads connecting to the highway, and removed unauthorised flex boards and banners. Some illegal stalls built by encroaching on traffic routes were seized. Action was also taken against shopkeepers who had put up iron barricades in front of their shops, encroaching on drains and blocking roads with illegal parking.

The municipal administration warned that roads, squares and public spaces are not anyone's private property but are meant for public use. It said those encroaching on public roads and causing traffic obstruction, and those putting up unauthorised flexes and banners, should follow the rules.

Chief officer Sanjeevani Dalvi said that given Wai's historical and tourism importance, it was necessary to maintain the city's beauty, keep public spaces clear and ensure smooth traffic. She said the drive had been launched with this in mind and that action against encroachment would continue in the city. She said violators would face fines and, if required, legal action, a warning that has caused concern among those encroaching.

The municipal administration appealed to residents to park their vehicles at designated authorised spaces rather than on roads, given the severity of the parking problem, adding that action alone will not solve the problem and that residents too need to show discipline and responsibility in using public spaces.

The drive involved Narayan Gosavi, Komal Madhukar Sable (structural municipal engineer and squad head), Anant Prabhune (structural engineer and squad head), Sarvesh Khade (assistant squad head), Manoj Bartakke (officer), Vijay Maroda (sanitary inspector), Chandrakant Adsul, Rahul Shinde, Yash Pawar, Aditya Kamble, Prasad Patole, Sagar Lad, Kailas Lad, Rohit Gadhve, Rajendra Chougule, Amol Rokade, Pramod Jadhav, Ravindra Kalokhe and Ayush Lad.

Residents welcomed the council's action and hoped the drive would not be limited to a day or two but would continue. The campaign to clear roads and public spaces of encroachment has sent a clear message to encroachers that rule violations will invite action.

Elected municipal council president Anil Sawant said, "The parking problem in Wai city is serious, and for smooth traffic on the roads, vehicle owners should park in proper parking spaces instead of on the roads. But while taking action against small traders who earn their living by hand, their livelihood will also be kept in mind. For residents who run their business by setting up stalls along the roadside, a way will be found to protect their livelihood by creating hawkers' zones. No one's livelihood will be kicked away, and no one will be allowed to go hungry."