Following the identification of encroachment on both sides of the highway by the National Highway Authority (NHA), engineers of Mansehra district council and Mansehra tehsildar, at least 1,500 illegal occupants were issued warnings over the last three months.
The occupants have encroached upon at least two feet to 12 feet of land beyond their properties and constructed cemented structures.
In some areas, entire markets have emerged on government property and the occupants refuse to vacate the land despite warnings.
The obstruction disturbs the flow of traffic and causes accidents. Authorities had earlier demarcated 33 feet on both sides of the highway, said officials of NHA and the district council. Ziauddin, a Mansehra district council engineer, said the government has now decided to clear at least 66 feet to 120 feet of land along the highway from Datta Barrier to Chattar Plain.
During the first phase of action, the anti-encroachment squad, headed by assistant commissioner Dr Qasim Jadoon, demolished the extended portions of over a dozen shops between Datta and the Elementary College stop on Saturday.
While answering a question, Jadoon said authorities want to clear the highway of encroachment within the shortest possible time so work can start to expand the road.
As the main trade route between Pakistan and China, broadening the highway will help with more traffic. Jadoon said the encroachments will be removed without respite or discrimination.
The operation could not continue on Monday because of a mechanical fault in the machinery being used to clear the land. However, some shopkeepers vacated the encroached space voluntarily.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 16th, 2014.a
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