Now people want encroached shrines removed

Now people want encroached shrines removed
Newindpress.com

HUBLI: The citizens of the twin cities have grown so used to the tiny congested lanes, are now walking in freedom. The anti-encroachment drive has brought out all those roads, which were meant to be broad, but were covered with encroachments.

Bold steps taken by Commissioner P Manivannan to remove all encroachments to enable the common man to enjoy a hassle-free drive on roads and an easy walk on pavements. The people are all praise for the ‘demolition man’ for restoring the city to its lost glory.

More than 6,000 illegal constructions were brought down in the three-day drive.

But the people are demanding more.

They want the corporation to raze the shrines and place of worships built on corporation land and in the middle of the road.

Touching of place of worship and removing shrines encroaching corporation land is a tough task in a city like Hubli, which is considered sensitive.

Now Commissioner Manivannan is in a dilemma. If he does go ahead and concede to the people’s wishes then vested interests and ‘bigwigs’, who were enraged by his bold steps, are sure to take advantage of the situation and press for his transfer for ‘playing’ with religious sentiments of the people.

The people want Hubli to become on par with Bangalore city. Many feel the Commissioner should prepare ground carefully and tackle troublemakers before launching the drive to remove encroached shrines and religious places.

Talking to this paper, P Manivannan, Commissioner, HDMC, said launching a drive to remove encroached shrines and religious places was not in his immediate agenda and would be taken up after three months.

He wants to rebuild all the pavements and roads.

No hasty step will be taken to remove places of worship. After taking leaders and heads of shrines and religious places into consideration, the drive would be initiated, he added.

The people want Hubli to become on par with Bangalore city.