Authorities launch operation to clean up Saddar

Scores of make-shift stalls, illegal structures demolished on first day of four-day drive

KARACHI: The joint taskforce, headed by the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), launched an operation on Monday to clear Saddar and its adjoining areas of encroachments following the directives of the Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar.

Scores of roadside stalls were confiscated and illegal shops were razed to the ground as the authorities, aided by law enforcement and other civic agencies clamped down on the illegal constructions on Preedy Street, Express Market, Jahangir Park and other streets in Saddar.

Preparations for the grand operation started early morning, with over 500 municipal officers, police and Rangers personnel, K-Electric staffers and representatives from various civic agencies gathering at the Preedy Police Station, along with heavy machinery, trucks and other equipment.

Karachi Metropolitan Corporation's senior director for Anti-Encroachment, Bashir Ahmed Siddiqui, told The Express Tribune that the operation was supposed to start in the morning, but it was later decided to initiate the action after 12pm. The officials were divided into four teams to simultaneously commence the action at four different locations.

Ultimately, the operation began at 12:30pm, starting with the Parking Plaza and Passport Office and their adjoining areas.

According to the officials, roadside vendors and shopkeepers had already been notified two days earlier regarding the impending operation and they had been asked to clear the area.

Most had done so. Those who had failed to heed the warning had their stalls confiscated by the authorities.



Protests

A tyre repair shop in Shahabuddin Market in front of Parking Plaza was demolished by the authorities, even as the shop's owner put up stiff resistance. The owner claimed his shop was legal. Several others present at the spot joined in the protest, burning tyres on the road and shouting slogans against the authorities. The protesters, however, were easily subdued by the police, who arrested several people. The operation, meanwhile, continued unabated.

Similarly, makeshift stalls and carts were removed from the streets leading to Lucky Star from Empress Market. Overhanding and protruding sunshades in front of shops were also taken down.

Adjacent to the Passport Office, footpaths occupied by cafes and restaurants were cleared of encroachments. An employee of one of the hotels attempted to put up resistance and stood in front of the machinery, due to which the operation came to a standstill for some time. The police, however, managed to amicably resolve the situation and allow the operation to continue.

The illegal structures at the inter-city bus stop near the Sea Breeze Centre were also targeted in the operation, particularly the make-shift stalls set up on footpaths.

At several points during the operation, the police had to baton-charge onlookers and shopkeepers to disperse them. However, no injuries were reported during the action.

Traffic chaos

What was amiss on Monday was a traffic plan to manage the fallout from the anti-encroachment drive. For hours, Saddar and its adjoining areas were effectively in a traffic gridlock, particularly around the time when schools finished for the day. During operation there was immense traffic jam in Saddar and surrounding streets due to which citizens had to face severe problems.

The traffic remained badly affected until late evening, with even ambulances stuck at major thoroughfares at different times of the day.

Three days to go

KMC Municipal Commissioner Dr Saifur Rehman said that the operation would continue over the next three days.

He warned the municipal officials against negligence, adding that strict legal action would be taken against anyone who put up resistance. He added that the action could even be carried out at night. 

Published in The Express Tribune, November 6^th, 2018.