Encroachments take over streets in Pindi
Eateries and restaurants have occupied a major portion of College Road in Rawalpindi. PHOTO: Imran Asghar/Express
Encroachments have taken over streets and roads in the Lal Kurti area of Rawalpindi as the Chaklala Cantonment Board (CCB) has turned a deaf ear to the issue.
It has also lost its long-held cultural charm due to the encroachments. The area is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Rawalpindi and contains several monumental buildings. However, encroachments in the main bazaar, Indus Road, Rafi Road, CSD Road, Arif Jan Road, Faisal Alvi Road, and several other areas had made it difficult for citizens, pedestrians and motorists difficult to move freely. The CCB's anti-encroachment staff has also turned a blind eye to encroachments in Lal Kurti, which has added to the difficulties of the locals.
Locals alleged that the encroachments have popped up with the connivance of the CCB staff. They complained that the CCB staff had not visited the area for the past three months.
The locals also claimed a senior member of a political party had allegedly set up chairs and tables outside the Purani Mutton Market, while fish vendors and stallholders had encroached upon the Arif Jan Road. They said that the CCB officials did not give a satisfactory reply when they were informed about the encroachments. They said that roads had become so congested that even ambulances could not pass through without being stuck for hours. They demanded that the station commander and cantonment board officials should take notice of the situation as residents and business owners paid their taxes regularly.
There is currently no parking plaza in the area for motorists and traders. Motorists visiting the Lal Kurti market have to park their vehicles on roads, resulting in traffic congestion.
Traders said that they were facing losses as people have stopped visiting markets in Lal Kurti. They demanded that the authorities take immediate action against encroachers.
Meanwhile, a CCB spokesperson said that a survey of the Lal Kurti Bazaar had been completed and encroachments would be removed from roads and bazaars soon. He said that they had received more than 10 complaints regarding encroachments.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 6th, 2021.