The encroachment removal exercise that the Corporation was involved in at Pankaja Mills Road looks more and more like eyewash now.

As part of the preparations for the smart city project, the corporation officials have started clearing the encroachments in various parts of the city. The officials had also sent notices to clear illegal occupations at the Pankaja Mills Road, but the shop-owners have refused. Despite their refusal, the officials began dismantling the roofs of the shops. But, many suspect that it could be a pretext.

At present, only the roofs were removed, but the hotel and shops have started encroaching upon the government properties again, much to the discomfort of the pedestrians.

K. Ravikumar, Assistant Commissioner of the East zone, said, “We had given two days time for the shop owners to remove the illegal occupation. We have almost cleared all the encroachments. We will take action if they start encroaching on the lands again.”