Roads are meant for the movement of vehicles and public while streets are meant for the movement of pedestrians. If a portion not in between but on either side is blocked then not only the movement of both transport and public will be disturbed but also the basic purpose of constructing roads and streets with public money shall be defeated. In Jammu city and surrounding areas one finds both sides of almost every road and street is encroached by the shopkeepers or other traders by two to four or five feet in front of their shop or business establishment. At many places where footpaths are constructed they are completely encroached and trade goods are placed on the footpaths which are constructed for the movement of pedestrians. Similarly in many areas and localities, the drains constructed on both sides of the roads and streets for the smooth flow of drained water are not only completely covered but are also encroached by the business community to display their goods. This encroachment on one hand obstructs the movement of people as well as vehicular traffic while on the other hand blocks the smooth flow of drainage resulting many times in blockade of drains and causing leakage of drain water on the road. This leakage or an unnecessary flood of filthy water causes incontinence to the people living in the area and also to the people visiting there for domestic, social or business purposes. Secondly, such leakages are also hazardous for the health of the people, especially of the children, aged and infirm. Above all an encroachment of any kind is illegal and cannot be justified with any argument. As such these encroachments must be removed and the action must be taken under proper law. Business community, not all but few with self-interest, will certainly oppose and protest against any such action but they cannot justify their illegal encroachment by merely opposition and protest. There are several streets in the old Jammu city where the breadth of the streets is about six to ten feet when shops are closed but after the opening of the shops the width is reduced to three to five feet. Even in some of the popular markets the width of roads or streets is covered by at least three four feet either side by the shopkeepers. This must be checked and it is hoped that the common man will not only support but will appreciate this action of the government. However this action of the government must not be selective in any way.
