HSVP drive under fire as govt encroachments go unchecked in Panchkula

Panchkula: Even as the Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) cracks down on encroachments on road berms, residents have flagged alleged violations by govt departments, accusing the authorities of selective enforcement.Several public offices across the city have occupied road berms and adjacent public spaces, while action so far has largely targeted private property owners.The HSVP’s own Sector 6 office has fenced off a sizeable stretch of the berm outside its main gate, constructing a toe wall and covering the road edge. The area is further choked with vehicles parked along encroached footpaths, with no apparent action.“Practice what you preach. The drive should have started from its own premises. If the custodian itself is encroaching, what message does it send?” said SK Nayar, president, Panchkula Citizens’ Welfare Association, while terming the drive a welcome, though delayed, step.Similar violations have been flagged at the municipal corporation office in Sector 14, which has fenced off space outside and extended into a public parking area by placing furniture and erecting sheds for official vehicles. The MC itself is responsible for regulating encroachments in the city.Other departments, including Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam in Sector 6 and the irrigation department at Sinchai Bhawan in Sector 5, have also covered portions of road berms and adjoining spaces, some converting them into fenced green patches and temporary structures.Residents also alleged inaction against encroachments by several high-end restaurants, pubs and hotels in Sector 5.“Encroachment removal must be uniform. There cannot be a pick-and-choose approach — whether it is a residence, commercial establishment or a govt office,” said Mohit Gupta, a member of a residents’ group.Responding to the concerns, HSVP estate officer Surender Lather said encroachments by govt buildings would also be taken up. “We will take those into notice and initiate action as per norms,” he said.He added that the ongoing drive follows Punjab and Haryana high court directions, with junior engineers conducting surveys before issuing notices giving violators a week to clear encroachments, failing which HSVP will act. Similar drives in the past, however, have failed to sustain momentum.BOX:Govt offices encroaching on road berms, public landHSVP, MC, UHBVN among departments under lensResidents allege selective actionViolations flagged in Sector 5 commercial hubsHSVP says notices after survey; HC-backed drive