Removing encroachments: Phase 1 of city govt’s campaign ends today
Next phase will include operation to clear Walled City.
LAHORE:
The first drive against encroachments across the city initiated by the City District Government of Lahore (CDGL) will end today. Encroachments along major roads were cleared during the 25-day operation, but the CDGL teams did not enter the Walled city including Shah Alam Market.
While, town administrations verbally warned encroachers in the Walled City to leave the roads voluntarily, the warning remained unheeded because the encroachers do not believe the administration will follow through and physically tear down their shops.
A CDGL official told The Express Tribune that the city government planned to launch an anti-encroachment operation in the Walled city as well, but was hesitant. “Lack of manpower and a fear of strong resistance from the traders’ community, most likely having a political support, are major hindrances,” he said. He said clear operations in the Walled City had to be carried out manually as it was not possible to take heavy machinery inside the congested roads and streets.
He said the next session of the drive was likely to begin next week.
Another CDGL official said that the city government has termed Shah Alam Market as one of the most congested areas in the Walled City. The town administration does not even know the exact number of streets in the area, he said. “The entire Walled City has become a whole sale market. A strong resistance from both the business community and some politicians is certainly expected,” he said.
MPA Khwaja Salman Rafique, of Ravi Town, however denied any political backing to the traders. He said that a special campaign will start in the Walled City once the administration finishes clearing other areas of the city. “I am aware that the resistance will be strong, but I am ready to face the challenges,” he said, “even if it costs me in the upcoming election.” Ahmad Kamal, the Ravi Town municipal administrator, hoped that with more manpower and extra police, any type of uncertainty could be avoided.
He said the administration was likely to face firing attacks from rival groups that were against the operation. He said the town administration was planning to ask other towns to join hands with them in making the operation in the Walled City successful.
Kamal feared that in case of any political pressure, the operation would have to be discontinued. “If we get some political support, I am sure the drive will be successful,” he said. Ahad Khan Cheema, the Lahore district coordination officer, said that a new drive will only be started once the current operation ended successfully.
He said the only risk involved in commencing an operation in the Walled City was the traders’ resistance. He said he was aware of the situation and possible firing attacks from some traders’ groups. The drive, he said, involved security concerns and the decisions had to be taken with all things in mind. Cheema, however, denied any favoritism or political pressure.
Towards The End: Day 24 update
The City District Government of Lahore (CDGL) on the 24th day of its anti- encroachments operation claims to have cleared roads along 10.9 kilometres from encroachers.
A total of 261 ramps, two shops and 30 shades were demolished. Seventy illegal staircases in front of different shops were also demolished along with 25 sign boards.
Shalimar Town cleared one kilometre along Sheer Road, Angoori Cinema; Iqbal Town Administration cleared roads along Canal Bank, Johar Town, Wafaqi Colony and Allah Hoo Chowk. Data Gunj Bakhsh Town Administration cleared two kilometres in Lakshmi Chowk, Urdu Bazaar, Anarkali, Chauburji. Aziz Bhatti Town administration cleared an area of 3.5 km along Allama Iqbal Road, Dharampura. Ravi Town cleared an area of two kilometers in Begum Kot; Samanabad Town cleared an area of one kilometre along Bund Road; and Gulberg Town cleared an area of 0.4 km from Raja Market, Garden Town.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 5th, 2011.
The first drive against encroachments across the city initiated by the City District Government of Lahore (CDGL) will end today. Encroachments along major roads were cleared during the 25-day operation, but the CDGL teams did not enter the Walled city including Shah Alam Market.
While, town administrations verbally warned encroachers in the Walled City to leave the roads voluntarily, the warning remained unheeded because the encroachers do not believe the administration will follow through and physically tear down their shops.
A CDGL official told The Express Tribune that the city government planned to launch an anti-encroachment operation in the Walled city as well, but was hesitant. “Lack of manpower and a fear of strong resistance from the traders’ community, most likely having a political support, are major hindrances,” he said. He said clear operations in the Walled City had to be carried out manually as it was not possible to take heavy machinery inside the congested roads and streets.
He said the next session of the drive was likely to begin next week.
Another CDGL official said that the city government has termed Shah Alam Market as one of the most congested areas in the Walled City. The town administration does not even know the exact number of streets in the area, he said. “The entire Walled City has become a whole sale market. A strong resistance from both the business community and some politicians is certainly expected,” he said.
MPA Khwaja Salman Rafique, of Ravi Town, however denied any political backing to the traders. He said that a special campaign will start in the Walled City once the administration finishes clearing other areas of the city. “I am aware that the resistance will be strong, but I am ready to face the challenges,” he said, “even if it costs me in the upcoming election.” Ahmad Kamal, the Ravi Town municipal administrator, hoped that with more manpower and extra police, any type of uncertainty could be avoided.
He said the administration was likely to face firing attacks from rival groups that were against the operation. He said the town administration was planning to ask other towns to join hands with them in making the operation in the Walled City successful.
Kamal feared that in case of any political pressure, the operation would have to be discontinued. “If we get some political support, I am sure the drive will be successful,” he said. Ahad Khan Cheema, the Lahore district coordination officer, said that a new drive will only be started once the current operation ended successfully.
He said the only risk involved in commencing an operation in the Walled City was the traders’ resistance. He said he was aware of the situation and possible firing attacks from some traders’ groups. The drive, he said, involved security concerns and the decisions had to be taken with all things in mind. Cheema, however, denied any favoritism or political pressure.
Towards The End: Day 24 update
The City District Government of Lahore (CDGL) on the 24th day of its anti- encroachments operation claims to have cleared roads along 10.9 kilometres from encroachers.
A total of 261 ramps, two shops and 30 shades were demolished. Seventy illegal staircases in front of different shops were also demolished along with 25 sign boards.
Shalimar Town cleared one kilometre along Sheer Road, Angoori Cinema; Iqbal Town Administration cleared roads along Canal Bank, Johar Town, Wafaqi Colony and Allah Hoo Chowk. Data Gunj Bakhsh Town Administration cleared two kilometres in Lakshmi Chowk, Urdu Bazaar, Anarkali, Chauburji. Aziz Bhatti Town administration cleared an area of 3.5 km along Allama Iqbal Road, Dharampura. Ravi Town cleared an area of two kilometers in Begum Kot; Samanabad Town cleared an area of one kilometre along Bund Road; and Gulberg Town cleared an area of 0.4 km from Raja Market, Garden Town.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 5th, 2011.