New Delhi: Delhi Traffic Police, in coordination with MCD, NHAI, and DMRC, carried out a special encroachment removal drive along the 800 metre stretch of Dehradun Expressway to clear illegal roadside vendors that had been disrupting traffic and compromising road safety.One of the key stretches covered during the drive was opposite Akshardham, where TOI had recently reported that illegal encroachments were prompting commuters and cab drivers to stop on the carriageway, blocking a traffic lane and worsening congestion.Videos released by Delhi Traffic Police showed cranes lifting rehris and roadside stalls and loading them onto trucks during the operation.According to officials, the Public Health Department of the MCD seized nine rehri-patris, while 10 other rehris were removed from the site. The operation cleared the encroached stretch and restored the full carriageway for unhindered vehicular movement.A joint team comprising the Traffic Inspector of Mayur Vihar Circle, officials from the MCD’s Public Health Department, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) was constituted to carry out the encroachment removal drive in coordination with the concerned agencies.Officials said the drive was necessitated by the persistent and unauthorised occupation of public space by rehri-patri vendors along the expressway. Many vendors had set up stalls beyond the safety grills, attracting customers who stopped and parked their vehicles on the carriageway. This routinely blocked a traffic lane, caused congestion and posed a serious safety risk, particularly during peak hours.Delhi Traffic Police said encroachments on public roads and any activity that obstructs traffic or endangers road users will invite strict enforcement action. It also urged vendors and the public not to occupy road space or park vehicles on the carriageway in violation of traffic and municipal regulations.“Such joint enforcement and encroachment removal drives will continue to be conducted regularly in coordination with MCD, NHAI, DMRC and other concerned agencies. Strict legal action will be taken against violators to ensure sustained compliance, maintain traffic discipline, and safeguard the convenience and safety of all road users,” officials said.
