Shopping in Panchkula is increasingly becoming an experience not many look forward to, courtesy encroachments in almost all markets of the city.

The encroachments in corridors of Sector-11 and 7 markets have left little space for people to walk.

“Shopping in Panchkula markets is no less than a torture. In the first place, it is difficult to find parking space. And when one manages to find one, it is impossible to walk in the corridors, with 80 per cent of them being encroached by shopkeepers,” said Sunita Dhawan, a resident of Sector 11.

Mohit Verma, a Sector-7 resident, said: “Almost the entire city descends on Sector 7 for shopping. It is the main market area of the city. But finding parking space is a nightmare, with shopkeepers and hawkers placing their wares in open parking spaces. They should be heavily fined.”

Panchkula Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Yadav said a ‘special team’ had been constituted to resolve the issue. “We are taking up the issue of encroachment seriously. Recently, a meeting was held with HUDA and MC officials to discuss the issue. And a special team comprising MC and HUDA enforcement wing officials was formed to look into the matter,” Yadav told Newsline.

The special team, he added, would soon clear encroachments from city markets. “Since the team has successfully cleared the city roads of encroachments, it will soon shift its focus on markets,” Yadav added.

Elsewhere
Residential areas no better
Back lanes in several residential areas have been encroached upon. In Sector 21, tents have been erected in the service lane behind the houses, where security guards camp. These encroachments have blocked a substantial part of the service lane, causing inconvenience to other residents. In Sector 18, a resident has constructed a full-fledged servants’ quarter, while in other areas, these back lanes are used to park vehicles.