Chikmagalur Urban Development Authority (CDA) President C H Lokesh urged the public to join hands with the Town Municipality Council in maintaining cleanliness and to ease the traffic congestion.

Various organisations, public and traders should join hands with the CDA in this drive. Addressing a press meet on Wednesday, he said Cholera cases have been reported in several places.

There is a need to give preference to cleanliness. Compared to neighbouring district headquarters, our district headquarters is backward. He called upon the people to join hands with the Authority in the beautification of the town and to promote tourism in the district.

Mr Lokesh said that the law to free footpaths and drainage from any temporary buildings will be strictly implemented in Chikmagalur. Authority has no intention to trouble the petty shop owners, he added.

The encroachment of 13 parks in various layouts in the town have been identified and measures have been initiated to put a fence around the encroached land. He said CDA has put an end to the encroachment of land and illegal layouts.

Authority has kept three benches at parks, Gowri canal and Jayanagara park. As many as six benches have been kept at Veerashiva burial ground. Public can complain to the Authority or Town Municipal Council in case if they find anyone digging the road.