Port Blair, Jan 23: The PBMC in a drive has removed permanent nature of encroachments on 23.01.2017, a huge semi-permanent structure, adjacent to Shop No.1, was constructed and being used as Shop. It was having four rolling shutters and was constructed adjacent to PBMC Head Quarter. Infact the boundary wall of the PBMC was also used for raising one wall of the illegal structure. Though the PBMC vide letter dated 07.10.2011 had informed the occupant that his request for permission for construction of permanent structure in the open space adjacent to shop no. 1 cannot be allowed yet the structure was constructed and being used as huge Provision Store.
The Shop no. 1 near STS Bus Terminus was allotted vide allotment letter dated 29.06.1998 for Rs. 6, 00,251/- and the monthly rent was Rs. 1000/-. The PBMC vide letter dated 24.09.1998 permitted the allottee to provide rolling shutter as well as extension of side veranda at his cost. The Term & Conditions of the permission has specific mention that the passage or verandah shall be kept free from all encumbrances and piling of goods at the verandah would not be allowed at any circumstances. However it was observed that the allottee had violated the Term & Conditions of the permission as the shop owner fixed rolling shutter and extended the verandah. But at present there was no side verandah and the present status clearly indicates that subsequently the allottee had further extended the side Verandah illegally and included it in the allotted areas un-authorisedly the extended side portion is much more than the permitted area mentioned in the letter dated 24.08.2004. The present total area of the shop is 28.435 sq. mtr against the area of 9.40 sq. mtr. The proportionate value for encroached area comes to Rs. 12, 15,508/-, as per the rate on which the original shop was allottted. Since auction price relates to June 1998, the present updated amount of the proportionate value would be in crores of rupees. Considering that site is adjacent to the STS Bus Terminus, allowing such extended shop may not be advisable at any cost as it forces the buses to take sharp turn which may be risky for the life of general public.
The public area is meant for use by pedestrian and for traffic circulation which cannot be allowed to be blocked. These encroachments not only create hindrance in circulation of pedestrian and traffic but also affect the evacuation plan and movement of emergency services like Fire, Police and Medical Ambulance etc and most importantly during any natural disaster.
Though there is no need of any prior intimation for removal of encroachment yet for the sake of peaceful clearance of the public land and also to avoid loss of goods kept in the encroached area, the PBMC had already issued a public notice in local newspapers advising all concerned to remove un-authorized extensions and encroachments but it did not yield desired results.
The demolition drive was carried on 23.01.2017 with Police protection and in presence of Executive Magistrate. The drive which started at 10.00 AM went on upto12.00 Noon under the supervision of Secretary PBMC. Separate action has been initiated to cancel allotment of both the above parties and to levy damage charges for the illegal occupancy of the above public land. Cost of demolition will also be recovered from both the parties.
Regarding demolitions carried out during last week at the Mohanpura Market, the PBMC has initiated process for cancellation of allotments and has also levied charges Damage Charges for the past period of illegal occupying the public land- Rs. 14,40,000/- on each of the allottee, Cost of demolition of encroachments and clear of public land- of Rs. 50,000/- on each of the allottee.
All concerned are hereby advised to remove all the un-authorized extensions and encroachment from the Municipal Markets immediately failing which following actions will be taken without any further notice and Demolition/Removal of the encroachment at their risk and cost, Filing an FIR with the Police for encroachment on the public land, Cancellation of allotment and sealing of the Shop(s), Levy of Damage Charges and recovery of cost of demolition
