Karachi: ‘Steps underway to remove Gujjar Nullah encroachments’

[Naveed Yaseen]

By Irfan Aligi

KARACHI: City Nazim Mustafa Kamal has said that necessary steps are being taken to remove the illegal encroachments around Gujjar Nullah.

According to the nazim, the encroachments pose a serious threat to the residents of New Karachi Town, Gulberg Town, Liaquatabad Town and North Nazimabad Town, particularly during monsoon season.

A well-placed officer told Daily Times that the decision to evict the illegal occupants and encroachments around the Gujjar Nullah is a positive step toward ensuring sustainability of underground infrastructure worth Rs 30 billion and for the protection of public and private properties of the four towns. The industrialists of the city, especially the North Karachi Association of Trade and Industry (NKATI), have also endorsed the decision and in this regard a delegation led by NKATI called on Kamal on Friday.

The City District Government Karachi (CDGK) has decided to ensure 100 percent effective measure to evict the encroachments from around the Gujjar Nullah, while various aspects have already been studied with necessary arrangements especially seeking full support from the law enforcement agencies including Pakistan Rangers and the police, added the officer.

In the past, several attempts were made to get the brinks of the Gujjar Nullah evicted, but they failed as the encroachers had a law and order situation.

It is pertinent to mention that the PC-1 of the Gujjar Nullah eviction of the encroachments was finalised almost a year ago and the feasibility study has been prepared to meet the requirements ahead of the eviction process. The CDGK has already submitted certain construction schemes to the federal government for final approval similar to that of the Liyari Expressway Scheme.

Talking to Daily Times, additional Executive District Officer Revenue Matanat Ali Khan said that the matters pertaining to the rehabilitation of people living around the Gujjar Nullah are being discussed and provision of appropriate land has not yet been decided but it would be done shortly.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...009_pg12_2