Guntur civic body launches drive to clear road, drain encroachments

The Guntur Municipal Corporation (GMC) on Wednesday (November 26) launched a crackdown on road and drain encroachments that are obstructing traffic flow and hindering sewage movement. Municipal Corporation Commissioner Puli Srinivasulu, who supervised the clearance operation on Old Guntur Main Road, said the civic body would not tolerate structures that endanger public health and urban mobility.

During the inspection, the Commissioner noted that several shopkeepers and residents had built unauthorised ramps and business stalls over drains, preventing sanitation workers from removing silt. This negligence, he said, was causing sewage stagnation and contributing to the spread of diseases. He directed town planning officials not to compromise while removing such encroachments.

Srinivasulu appealed to the public to remove illegal structures voluntarily. He warned that if the GMC had to step in, the responsibility for any resulting damage would rest solely on the encroachers. Spotting garbage heaps along the roadside, he expressed anger at the sanitary inspector and ward secretary, reiterating that the city cannot allow informal dumping points. Although adequate staff, pushcarts and vehicles have been allotted to every micro pocket, some personnel continue to display negligence, he said, cautioning of strict action against erring staff.