Encroachments go on unchecked in capital

[Salman]

ISLAMABAD: Encroachments on roads, streets and footpaths in different areas of the capital are on the rise, creating problems both for the pedestrians and the motorists.

Shopkeepers encroaching upon pavements in front of their shops and vendors setting up stalls on roads, forcing pedestrians to walk in the middle of the road and hindering the traffic flow is a common sight in almost all markets of the capital.

“The authorities concerned always claim to launch anti-encroachment drives, but encroachments reappear soon after operations are over,” Anwar Raza, a resident of G6 complained.

The failure of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) is obvious from the fact that shopkeepers at Peshawar Mor, Karachi Company, Aabpara, Faizabad and Bhara Kahu have occupied footpaths in front of their shops without any fear.

Rizwan, a shopper at Aabpara Bazaar, said the CDA had the responsibility to remove encroachments, but it had failed to do its job.

A Capital Development Authority official said the authority regularly launched anti-encroachment campaigns to keep the roads and footpaths clear.

He said it was a wrong impression that the Capital Development Authority was not aware of the situation.

He warned shopkeepers and vendors not to encroach upon footpaths, otherwise strict action would be taken against them.