Free space: Sukkur police determined to clear city of encroachments

Anti-encroachment drive continues, temporary residents act implemented

SUKKUR: In a bid to remove encroachments on main roads in the city, the Sukkur police is continuing its anti-encroachment drive. The drive is aimed at removing all hurdles from main roads to facilitate smooth flow of traffic, especially during school times.

Besides implementing the Sindh Information of Temporary Residents Act, 2015, the police have registered cases against the owner of five hotels, guest houses and travelers lodges for not informing the police of their guests.

Sukkur, despite being the third biggest city of Sindh, has been badly neglected, due to which encroachments started mushrooming not only in market places but on the main roads and streets as well. These encroachers not only posed hurdles to the smooth flow of traffic, but had also become a nuisance for pedestrians, especially women and children.

Sukkur SSP Amjad Ahmed Shaikh took notice of the situation and began an anti-encroachment drive throughout the city.

Before giving the green light for the anti-encroachment drive, the SSP had asked the encroachers to remove their encroachments voluntarily within three days. Some of the encroachers vacated the area but most paid no heed to the warning.

After the expiry of the three-day period, the anti-encroachment drive was started, during which encroachments are being removed without any discrimination. The anti-encroachment drive, which is being run under the supervision of the deputy superintendent of police, will continue till the removal of all the encroachments in Sukkur.

Areas being focused on include main Minara Road, Clock Tower Roundabout, Racecourse Road, High Court Road, Dhak Road, Miani Road and Bunder Road, which are all frequently used by the commuters. Similarly, the drive is also being conducted in market places to provide ample space for traffic and pedestrians. Most of the shopkeepers, especially those running eateries, habitually encroach upon the walk-ways. Since the launch of the drive, the walk-ways and roads have been cleared.

SSP Shaikh said, "Due to the mushrooming of encroachments it had become almost impossible for people to drive and pedestrians were forced to walk on the roads due to encroachments on the walk-ways," he said.

"This anti-encroachment drive will continue till the clearance of all the main roads, streets and market places," he vowed. Traffic policemen have been deployed along major roads to ensure the encroachers do not come back.

"Besides this, we have also started implementing the temporary residents ordinance in letter and spirit, which is the part of National Action Plan. All the owners of hotels and guest houses have been directed to inform the police about their guests within three hours of check-in, otherwise strict action will be taken against them," SSP Shaikh explained.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 17^th, 2016.