‘No construction to be tolerated on KCR land’

No construction will be tolerated on Karachi Circular Railway’s land, remarked Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed on Tuesday as the Supreme Court took up cases in relation to KCR and Green Line Bus Rapid Transit System on Tuesday.

The three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed and comprising Justice Sajjad Ali Shah and Justice Qazi Muhammad Amin Ahmed, directed authorities to restore the KCR completely. The bench instructed that all encroachments and illegal occupations from KCR land must be removed and directed that those who were leased out the KCR lands be evicted.

During the hearing, CJP Ahmed inquired about the progress made on KCR’s restoration.

The deputy advocate-general maintained that local trains and KCR were operating without any issues. He informed the court that underpasses are being built for KCR.

The railway department secretary informed the court that there is an issue with KCR’s land where work for the Green Line Bus project is underway.

The top judge directed the railway secretary to ensure complete operation of the KCR with the help of the provincial government and resolve any issues that may arise.

However, the secretary expressed an inability to remove illegal occupation from KCR lands. He claimed that it would not be possible to do without the help of Rangers and the support of the government.

The bench directed the Rangers DG and Sindh IGP to provide assistance in the matter and directed the authorities to recover the lands leased out after devising a mechanism for this process.

During the hearing, the CJP inquired about the park at Kala Pul as well. “All of the land from Keamari to Qauidabad and around Kala Pul has been illegally occupied. New houses are being built every day on railway’s land. Shrines have [also] been constructed there,” remarked CJP Ahmed.

The top judge expressed annoyance at the railways secretary and remarked that the Hayat Regency land was expensive but was sold for pennies.

At this the secretary replied that the land could only be recovered by cancelling the lease after the cabinet’s approval.

Directing the authorities to recover Hayat Regency Hotel’s land and use it for railways by constructing a head office for the department there, the court sought a report within a month.

The counsel representing the railways department informed the court that KCR land near Gillani Station has been illegally occupied for the construction of Tejori Heights. He said that the department has filed a report in this regard before the Sindh High Court’s nazir.

However, the Tejori Heights counsel informed the court that his clients have filed an objection over the railway department’s report.

“You have constructed the building on KCR land, where will KCR station be built,” asked CJP Ahmed, directing his comments towards the Tejori Heights counsel. No construction will be tolerated on KCR land, remarked the CJP.

The bench directed the builder of Tejori Heights to stop construction and directed Karachi Commissioner Navid Ahmed Shaikh to take over the project.

The court further directed the authorities to start KCR operation within the given time and sought a report from railways DG within a month. The court warned that legal action will be taken against the relevant authorities if the project isn’t completed in time.

Green Line Bus Project

The bench directed the authorities to ensure that the Green Line Bus is operational by June 2021, and directed the Karachi Infrastructure Development Company Limited to submit a report pertaining to the project within a month.

KIDCL chief operating officer (COO) informed the court that two reports have been submitted earlier. The Green Line Bus Project is being built using the funds provided by the Centre and with the approval of the Sindh chief minister and former Karachi mayor, he said.

CJP Ahmed inquired if the citizens had been consulted before the project was launched.

At this, the KIDCL COO maintained that they take approvals from the city council from time to time.

The CJP further asked whether any bridge has been constructed in front of the Quaid’s Mazar.

KIDCL chief operating officer maintained that they are constructing underground passages for the project at Numaish Chowrangi, with the permission of the Mazar-e-Quaid Management Board.

He informed the court that the Green Line Buses will be in Karachi by May 2021 after which, 300,000 citizens will be able to travel through the bus service on a daily basis.

CJP Ahmed observed that multiple roads have been ruined by constructing bridges for Green Line Bus project.

At this the COO maintained that those roads have been restored.

The apex court directed the authorities to make the Green Line Buses operational by June 2021 and sought a report from the KIDCL.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 30^th, 2020.