Jauhar residents decry encroachment
The service roads and footpaths have disappeared from many areas of Gulistan-e-Jauhar due to encroachment.
The allegedly corrupt elements in the Karachi Development Authority (KDA) have sold out 150-feet-wide service roads and sidewalks to businesses, fast food, and restaurant owners, locals told The Express Tribune during a survey of the area between Jauhar Mor and Kamran Chowrangi.
There is a coterie of politically well-connected officers who, through their subordinates, collect millions of rupees per day from the encroachers squatting on the service lanes and footpaths of Gulistane Jauhar, a man selling chicken rolls on Jauhar Chowrangi.
"Millions of rupees are being embezzled on weekly basis," Zameer Ahmed, a local resident claimed pointing out that markets have been set up on service roads.
The owners of fast foods, snack bars, and nurseries have squatted upon the sidewalks and service road in the entire Gulistan-e-Jauhar neighborhood. The top bosses of KDA only give media statements while citizens continue to suffer.
The citizens have demanded immediate action from higher authorities and investigating agencies against KDA officers selling service roads and sidewalks.
Sources said, the most important area of the city, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, has become a stronghold of the land mafia as well as encroachment mafia.
Read More: Action on encroachment occupied land
Residents said that various kiosks and fast food kiosks have taken over the service road and turned it into a dining area. The silence of the KDA officers in Gulistane Jauhar is astonishing despite the bold occupation of the service roads.
According to the residents of the area, there are roads and sidewalks for sale in Gulistan-e-Jauhar. Citizens have demanded strict action against the officers selling service roads and sidewalks.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 16th, 2021.