Srinagar, April 21: Anti-encroachment squad of Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) Wednesday conducted drives in parts of the city to ensure smooth flow of traffic movement.

According to an official, the anti-encroachment squad visited several parts of the city including Regal Chowk, Jehangir Chowk, Maharaja Bazar, Dalgate and adjoining parts. He said the drive was conducted under the supervision of Commissioner SMC Athar Amir Khan who was accompanied by Joint Commissioner (Admin), Joint Commissioner (Works), Chief Sanitation Officer, Chief Anti-Encroachment Officer and others.

“At the occasion, the action was taken against encroachments along main roads and markets”, the official said.

He added the goods that led to encroachment, displayed by street vendors and shopkeepers outside their shops were removed and seized.

He further added that SMC took strong note of the violations and fined the violators on spot.

“The Anti-Encroachment Squad has been reorganized to ensure effective strategized and sustainable enforcement on the ground to remove encroachments for smooth flow of traffic and pedestrian movement in the city”, the official said.

“The drive will continue and whoever found violating fundamental rules won’t go unpunished”, said Commissioner SMC at the occasion.

The Commissioner advised street vendors and shopkeepers to keep their goods within their shops, otherwise face the consequences, seizure and imposition of fine.

He also inspected various business establishments and markets to review the adherence to the Covid19 SOP’s and made a passionate appeal to people to follow the guidelines religiously by wearing facemasks and maintain adequate social distance to keep the pandemic away.