Encroachers ruling the roost in Rawal Town commercial areas

[Salman]

RAWALPINDI – Almost all the main commercial areas of Rawal Town are being ruled by the encroachers as the shopkeepers and vendors have occupied most of the city footpaths and open spaces and hampering road traffic besides creating troubles for the pedestrians.

The encroachers have set up their stalls at almost all main roads of the main markets in the city while the encroachment situation was made worst in Raja Bazaar and its adjacent markets including main Raja Bazaar, Iqbal Road, Liaquat Market, College Road, Liaquat Road, Kalan Bazaar, Urdu Bazaar, Mochi Bazaar, Jinnah Road, Jamia Masjid Road, Bunni Market, Kashmiri Bazaar, Nankari Bazaar, Namik Mandi, Gungmandi and other areas.

Several city roads, which were widened enough for the traffic flow are now under the control of encroachers. Benazir Bhutto Road and its service roads mainly Circular road has fully been encroached where the motorcycles are displayed on the both sides of the road and the encroachers have occupied maximum open space on the road.

Free hand has also been given to the encroachers in several other roads like Sadiqabad area, Kuri Road, Stadium Road, National Market, Khybian-e-Sir-Syed, Pindora road, Dhoke Ratta, Dhoke Khabba, Tippu Road and other roads.

Town Municipal Officer, Tehsil Municipal Authority, Rawal Town talking to APP said that all out efforts are being made to control the problem. Recently new strategy to cope with the situation has been evolved and daily raids are conducted in this regard. Though a number of anti-encroachment drives were launched by the authorities concerned in all areas but the situation never changed in the city as owing to the encroachments, not only the motorists but also pedestrians face troubles.

The traffic mess on the roads creates problems for the area residents and the motorists besides noise pollution. Talking to APP, a visitor said that the authorities concerned should launch a comprehensive drive to remove encroachments from the area, which should be followed by strict monitoring so that the road could not be encroached again.

Faisal, a resident of College Road said that the encroachers have occupied both sides of the road and left no space for car parking in the bazaar or even walkway for pedestrians. “The authorities should come up with an effective strategy and concerned officials should pay surprise visits at different times in the day to remove the encroachments,” he said.

The citizens urged the authorities concerned to take strict action against the shopkeepers, vendors and fruit and vegetable handcart owners that are creating hurdles in the smooth flow of traffic. Traffic mess is a great problem for the motorists within the limits of Peerwadhai bus stand and its surrounding areas as the authorities concerned seem least concerned to control encroachments.

Encroachments in different localities of the city have become a nuisance not only for motorists, as they create traffic jams, but also for the residents of these areas, but the concern authorities are paying little attention towards the problem. One can observe traffic jams on the roads just because of these encroachments.