More than 50% of citizen feedback related to the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation’s (AMC) Estate Department on the Centralized Complaints Redressal System (CCRS) has been negative, raising concerns over the department’s performance.
The Estate Department is responsible for removing encroachments and obstructions from roads and footpaths across the city. Citizens have been complaining about lorries, tea stalls, vendors and shop goods occupying public spaces in several areas.
The issue was flagged by the AMC Commissioner, who has directed Estate Department officers across all seven zones to improve their performance. Officials have also been instructed to carry out vigilance checks and take action wherever necessary.
Focus on parked vehicles instead of encroachments
Sources said the Estate Department often focuses on locking vehicles parked on roads rather than addressing encroachments and congestion caused by lorries and other commercial activities. As a result, the same locations reportedly become congested again after a few hours or days.
There have also been allegations of regular payments being collected from some vendors to allow them to continue operating on roads and footpaths. Officials have been asked to take strict action against such practices.
Strict action against repeat encroachments
The AMC has also taken note of cases where lorries or groups of vendors return to public roads and footpaths shortly after being removed.
Officials have been instructed to take strict action against repeat violations and seize vehicles or goods where necessary.
Alternative spaces being planned for vendors
To reduce the pressure created by vegetable vendors on roads, the AMC has already started allocating municipal plots in different zones and wards for stalls.
The civic body is now also considering a policy to provide alternative spaces for vendors selling other goods on public roads and footpaths.