1,057 encroachments removed in three days as Operation LUNGS resumes in Vizag

After a little lull, Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC)’ has intensified its anti-encroachment drive, Operation Life to Urban Green Spaces (LUNGS) 2.0, giving thoroughfare vendors the jitters.

The civic authorities resumed the drive, which was stopped aft Dasara, connected December 14. In the past 3 days, 1,057 encroachments person been removed crossed each the zones of the municipal corporation, according to the Town Planning helping of GVMC.

Chief City Planner (CCP) A. Prabhakar Rao said that Operation LUNGS 2.0 aims to guarantee harmless pedestrian question connected footpaths and unobstructed vehicular postulation connected roads and astatine junctions, thereby facilitating harmless transportation.

This cognition besides intends to support the vacant and authorities lands successful the metropolis from encroachments.

“A bulk of complaints received done Public Grievances Redressal System (PGRS) pertain to encroachments connected roads and footpaths, arsenic good arsenic roadside parking of vehicles, which obstruct postulation and often pb to congestion. After identifying encroachments successful each the zones, they are being removed,” helium said.

The determination has created a panic among the thoroughfare vendors crossed the metropolis arsenic it comes conscionable up the vacation season.

“My store was removed during the archetypal signifier of Operation Lungs, and I incurred dense losses. I someway managed to acceptable up a tiny impermanent stall. Now that the thrust resumed, I americium frightened that this impermanent store volition besides beryllium removed,” said K. Lakshmi, a thoroughfare vendor from Seethammadhara.

A. Nagaraju, a vendor of MVP Colony said that the vendors bash a bully concern during the Christmas, New Year and Sankranti seasons. “If our stalls are taken distant again, it volition beryllium precise hard for america to survive,” helium said.

In October this year, thousands of encroachments were removed on the footpaths and roadworthy sides crossed the city. Even the fashionable nighttime nutrient bazaar connected Old Jail Road was unopen down, affecting thousands of families that depended connected the businesses there. The Operation LUNGS has drawn flak from the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) and the Left parties.

CPI(M) person & Corporator of Ward 78, B. Ganga Rao criticised the GVMC for resuming the drive, stating that it would severely impact the livelihoods of workers.