GHAZIABAD: The Ghaziabad Development Authority has been carrying out a campaign to demolish illegal ramps outside homes that not only block drains but also encroach on public roads.Roadside encroachment is a prevalent problem in the city, particularly in Indirapuram where residents tend to extend the gates of their houses by constructing ramps to make space for parking cars.For the past few months, the GDA has been carrying out a drive to clear roads in colonies of illegal ramps, which have been choking drains and eating into roads. According to a rough estimate, the development agency plans to demolish around 1,600 ramps in a phased manner. “GDA vice-chairperson Ritu Maheshwari had surveyed the Indirapuram township about two months ago and expressed displeasure over residents constructing ramps outside their gates. They not only eat away spaces for roads but are also the prime reason behind clogging of drains,” said VN Singh, officer on special duty at the GDA.“She had ordered the enforcement and engineering wing to carry out a drive to free roads and footpaths of illegal ramps. We have been carrying out the drive since then,” Singh added.The GDA official said that in March alone, about 500 ramps outside houses in Niti Khand 3 had been demolished. “We permit residents to construct ramps from their gates up to three feet. But there is a tendency to construct ramps well beyond the permissible limit,” said Singh.GDA assistant engineer BP Yadav, who is overseeing road construction work in Shakti Khand, Niti Khand, Nyay Khand and Gyan Khand, said: “Five days ago, we demolished nearly 30 ramps in Shakti Khand 4 area. There are over 200 such ramps that remain to be demolished.”

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