With an aim to transform the Budhlada, a young Indian Administration Services (IAS) officer Sagar Setia, who recently joined as a Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) here wants to establish this nondescript town into a beautiful borough.Sharing a glimpse his first project through a hand-drawn sketch, Sagar Setia said that he proposed to establish a Railway Road into a beautiful ‘Palm Street’ by refurbishing the entire street.
What is Palm Street Project?
The vision is to revamp the entire Railway road by laying road and planting Palm and shady trees on the side of roads to make it a beautiful walkway for the pedestrians. Setia said that they will also provide the parking facility for the vehicles and attractive lighting for the convenience of the people coming to the market besides resolving the problem of drainage by providing adequate infrastructure. Railway Road is a small but busy market which comprises around 200-250 shops.Setia, who is also holding charge of the administrator of the Municipal Council Budhlada said that the major task to commence this project is to remove the illegal encroachments outside the shops. He said that about 50-60 shopkeepers have illegally encroached 10-12 feet public land by extending their outlets outside their shops.Setia said that by taking keen interest he himself had gone to the shopkeepers and told them to clear the encroachments by themselves so that the civic body can carry out the process to beautify the street. “Shopkeepers had assured me that they will themselves remove the encroachments in coming days,” he said adding that he had been told by many shopkeepers that they will happily remove their encroachments for the benefit of the city and they will support him in this objective.The SDM-cum-Administrator said that he has been assured by the various trade associations that they will remove their encroachments immediately. He ensured, “If shopkeepers won’t vacate the public land due to their private interests, just and fair action will be taken against these few encroachers” and also, “interest of few cannot override the interest of many.”Meanwhile, SDM solicited the cooperation from the shopkeepers to clear the public land citing the project to beautify the street was for the town’s welfare and to make this project successful.