Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal (EP)

Bantwal, Jan 12: The national highways authority on Tuesday January 12 evening demolished several illegal petty shops selling fast food, clothes, fruits and vegetables. The shops had reportedly encroached the highway at Farangipet junction.

The highway officials and police department acted after several complaints were received from locals about these illegally installed petty shops.

The petty shops had occupied the space meant for pedestrians. As the customers were parking their vehicles everywhere, pedestrians were finding it difficult to move about. The highway authority had served notices to the shops besides warning them once or twice. Some traders removed their belongings voluntarily as the officials arrived with JCB machines to demolish the shops.

The officials also towed away the scooters parked near the bus stand in a haphazard manner.

Rural police sub-inspector Rakshit A K led the operation. Though some of the petty shop owners raised objections with the police, the demolition was carried out.

Two-day notice to other petty shops

The shops at Farangipete junction occupying the national highway such as scrap shop, hardware, fruits and vegetables vendor and fast-food outlets should be removed within the next two days, failing which they will be demolished with the help of the police and using JCB, warned the officials of national highways authority.