Jaipur: Govt-allotted Saras dairy booths encroaching on pavements are no longer safe from punitive action, as the Traffic Control Board (TCB) of the Jaipur Development Authority (JDA), for the first time, has officially classified them as illegal structures obstructing pedestrian pathways.At its meeting Wednesday, the TCB decided to clear Saras booths and other unauthorised structures from footpaths along 10 to 12 major city roads. This is in compliance with the Supreme Court’s June 19 ruling declaring the right to walk on safe and well-maintained footpaths a fundamental right and giving pedestrians priority over motorised traffic.A senior JDA official said pavement encroachments emerged as a key issue during the meeting. “The list of structures we’ve determined as illegal includes 130 Saras dairy booths, which have been classified into five categories based on the nature of violations. This is the first time they have officially been identified as encroachments,” the official said.According to the board’ s assessment, 10 of the 130 booths are completely unauthorised, 15 establishments are operating in place of approved Saras booths, 20 are operating from locations other than those allotted, five are functioning in the name of other brands and 80 have extended into adjoining public spaces.Saras dairy booths sell products of the Rajasthan Cooperative Dairy Federation, which functions under the animal husbandry and dairy department, while their allotment is handled by the Jaipur Municipal Corporation (JMC).Another JDA official said the proposed drive will focus on restoring pavements meant exclusively for pedestrians. “The decision has been taken not only to remove these encroachments but also to carry out periodic inspections and monitoring to prevent such violations from recurring,” the official said.During Wednesday’s meeting, the TCB also reviewed several traffic management measures focused on unauthorised parking, e-rickshaw regulations and road infrastructure improvements.
