Siliguri, Aug 2 (PTI) West Bengal Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Minister Agnimitra Paul on Sunday said people keeping construction materials such as sand, bricks and stones on public roads while building houses will face penalties from September 1.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a programme at the Siliguri Municipal Corporation, she said roads cannot be used to dump construction materials and property owners must keep such materials within their premises.
“People cannot leave stones, sand and bricks on the road while constructing houses. We will impose fines. Roads are not anyone’s private property,” Paul said.
The minister also announced that owners of vacant plots would be responsible for keeping their land clean.
She said landowners cannot leave vacant plots overgrown with bushes or clogged with drains and waterbodies for years, as such conditions could contribute to mosquito breeding and increase the risk of diseases such as dengue.
Maintaining vacant land, like maintaining one’s house and its surroundings, is the responsibility of the owner, she said.
Reiterating the government’s recent measures to improve civic discipline, Paul said strict action would also be taken against illegal parking.
She reiterated that vehicles must be parked only in designated parking spaces and reminded that the state government is introducing a dedicated parking app.
Those parking cars or motorcycles on footpaths would also face hefty fines, she added.
The minister also urged hawkers occupying entire footpaths to move back and leave adequate space for pedestrians.
At the same time, Paul said that, in line with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari’s announcement, no eviction drive against hawkers would be carried out until the end of the Durga Puja festivities. PTI BSM MNB
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