People decry commercialisation of residential areas

RCB secretary claims raids being conducted

RAWALPINDI: Illegal commercial activities in different cantonment residential areas have been distressing the residents while the encroachers have occupied streets and roads in the area creating problems particularly for women and children.

According to details, the streets of the different residential areas including Gawalmandi, Tench Bhatta, Peoples Colony, Bakra Mandi and others have been converted into commercial centers as the traders have changed houses into shops and warehouses. The residents also complained that influential people in collusion with Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) officials are constructing illegal shops in these localities further deteriorating the already painful situation for the residents.

RCB authorities have thus far been unable to remove encroachments which are getting out of control. Encroachments are now on the rise and have become a major problem not only for the motorists, but also for locals of the area, while the authorities concerned are taking no action.

The residents complained that encroachment is the main reason behind traffic jams, as encroachers have occupied almost half of the roads. Not only the motorists, but the pedestrians are facing problems as their movement is now restricted. “The authorities concerned should play an effective role to remove these encroachers from the roads for smooth flow of traffic,” they urged.



Tahir, a resident of Gawalmandi said one could see the traffic mess in his area as motor workshops have occupied both sides of the road and have left no space for pedestrians to move around, moreover the vehicles are parked in front of workshops along the road which in turn further narrows the passage on the road and worsens traffic, while repair work of faulty vehicles is carried out on the road.

Faisal, a resident of Tench Bhatta informed that the residents are facing severe difficulties due to encroachments in various streets and main road of Tench Bhatta. Imran, another resident said, it is responsibility of RCB to take action against encroachers and those involved in illegal commercial activities in a residential area.

The residents appealed to the station commander and cantonment executive officer to take notice of the situation and order action in accordance with the law against the violators. Similarly they requested that illegal construction be checked so that relief could be provided to the residents.



However, when contacted, RCB Secretary Qaiser Mahmood informed that action in accordance with the law is already being taken against the violators. Raids are being conducted by the anti-encroachment team and the encroachers are being fined while their goods are confiscated, he said adding, a strict action is also being taken against those found carrying out illegal construction.  

Published in The Express Tribune, May 15^th, 2018.