PIONEER NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
Dehradun district magistrate Savin Bansal has issued orders to relocate six country and foreign liquor shops from high-traffic areas including Sun Park Inn Chowk, Chuna Bhatta, Bindal junction and near the Employment office junction. The district administration acted after the police identified liquor outlets at these locations as major contributors to increasing road accidents and traffic congestion, the DM said. He informed that the Dehradun SSP and SP (Traffic) requested the removal of liquor shops from these key junctions in view of public safety during the district-level road safety committee on March 27. Acting on this recommendation, the administration has given a one-week deadline for shifting the six liquor shops. The DM warned that failure to comply with the order would result in cancellation of licenses. He stated that public safety takes precedence and any obstruction to smooth traffic flow will not be tolerated. He said that the State government has empowered DMs to take action in cases where liquor outlets cause law and order issues, public opposition or pose a safety threat. The DM said that the road safety committee is working to eliminate causes of accidents one by one. After measures like speed breakers, dividers, traffic lights, camera integration and demolition or construction at junctions, liquor shops have now come under the radar. Bansal informed that the administration is also relocating 23 electricity poles that obstruct traffic at various points. Shops at 16 locations are being moved and police booths have been shifted at 10 places. Construction is underway at Jakhan Sanchar Cut, Chhee Number Puliya service lanes and others. Bansal said that he is personally monitoring all these activities.
