GHAZIABAD: On the first day of the encroachment drive on Tuesday, the enforcement wing of Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) fined three shopkeepers in Indirapuram township. Two roadside vendors were slapped with fines of Rs 1,500 each while a sweet shop was fined Rs 10,000 in Ahinsa Khand.“A sweet shop in G C Market in Ahimsa Khand had set up a kiosk by the roadside, so we have imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 while in another case we imposed a fine of Rs 1,000 and Rs 1,500 on a roadside vegetable and fruit shop,” said Dhanjay Singh, junior engineer,GDA.“This was the first drive carried out in the township and we plan to intensify it in future,” added Singh.The GDA secretary had recently empowered its enforcement wing to levy fine on encroachers. While encroachment along roads will invite a minimum fine of Rs 1,500, unauthorised parking on government land will attract a penalty of Rs 50,000.On April 5, GDA secretary, Santosh Kumar Rai had issued orders pertaining to fine depending on the nature of encroachment. It has been proposed that unauthorised parking in front of malls and commercial complexes, and stalls and juice shops will draw a penalty of Rs 10,000 to Rs 50,000. “This would also include occupying space outside the shop for storing and displaying products,” said Rai.Dumping construction waste at unauthorised spots will also invite a penalty ranging between Rs 10,000 to Rs 50,000. “There is a prevalent tendency among builders and residents to dump construction waste on road. From now on, anyone found indulging in this practice will be penalised up to Rs 50,000,” added Rai.Fruit and vegetable vendors setting up stalls and kiosks on main roads, will have to pay a fine anywhere between Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000.The GDA has also made a provision to impose fine on using and selling of polythene bags. This will draw a fine ranging from Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000. Federation of Association of Apartment Owners (Fed AOA) has welcomed GDA’s initiative and are offering its support to the drive. “The residents of the township bear the brunt of encroachment which is so prevalent. Our members from the association would assist GDA officials in helping them locate any encroachment in the area,” said Alok Kumar, president, Fed AOA.

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