In the name of Smart City, the wide roads were converted into narrow roads allowing the traders, shop-keepers and others to encroach the footpath and road
The road around Ambedkar Stadium was two-lane with central lighting. But in the name of Smart City, it was converted into a narrow road, allowing traders and others to encroach on it.
Pedestrians are forced to walk on the road risking their lives as the footpaths are encroached by shop-keepers
It is surprising to note that a fruit vendor had even set up a tent and secured electricity supply after encroaching the road on the Collectorate road in Karimnagar town
KARIMNAGAR, FEBRUARY 26, 2025: Thanks to the unscientific execution of Smart city project works, the MCK converted the broad roads into narrow ones and encouraged encroachments on roads by shopkeepers and other vendors in various parts of Karimnagar town.
The so-called leaders had claimed that they had taken up development of the Karimnagar town which was not done since Independence. Ironically, the leaders and authorities had taken measures to progress the Karimnagar town in reverse and took 50 years back by converting wide roads into narrow roads.
Two decades ago, the rulers and the officials concerned had provided a two-lane road at Ambedkar Stadium with central lighting. Now in the name of Smart City, the two-lane road was made into a single lane and created ample opportunities for the shopkeepers and vendors to occupy the road and footpaths causing traffic snarls and nuisance to the people.
All around the Ambedkar stadium, the road was completely narrow without any vision with the growing population coupled with the addition of more vehicles onto the roads. Everyday several thousands of people visit Ambedkar stadium for walking, but they had to face umpteen problems with rampant commercial activity on footpaths and other parking places. Some of the private organisations had literally dug the parking place to erect their signboard violating the norms.
Commuters, who are at the receiving end, say that they are frustrated with the Municipal Corporation of Karimnagar (MCK) and Traffic police inaction. Lok Satta udyama Samstha Karimnagar town convenor KS Narayana said that “We pay taxes, but the MCK fails to provide basic infrastructure”. Earlier, it was free entry into the Circus grounds and Multipurpose grounds in Karimnagar town, but now the MCK had made it paid entry into the two grounds, he said and found fault with the MCK for not allowing the people to walk on the footpaths as they are encroached by the shop-keepers and other vendors.
Karimnagar Consumer Council leader M Gangadhar said that during the festivals, the Karimnagar town roads turn into a nightmare for commuters as the vendors and shop-keepers encroach the roads under the glaring presence of traffic police. It is surprising to note that the Traffic police instead of removing the encroachments of the roads and shifting the vendors into the nearby marketplaces, they erect the barricades denying the movement of the vehicles, he said and added that the festival season should be a time for celebration and not frustration.
A bank officer said the MCK had constructed several markets and mini-markets in various parts of the town, but none of the traders or vendors sell their products. Instead, the vendors encroach roads in the glaring presence of the police, MCK and other officials causing a nuisance to the people of the town, he alleged. It is high-time the authorities concerned raise to the occasion and launch a special drive against the encroachment of the footpaths and roads in the entire Karimnagar town.
