Widespread encroachments a bane for garrison city
Traffic snarls on roads in Rawalpindi have become a common sight due to encroachments. PHOTO: EXPRESS
Although encroachments are widespread and pervasive in almost all major cities of the country, Rawalpindi’s dilemma has a unique dimension to it and that is: It proliferates the more it’s curbed.
Amidst the apathy of the city managers, roadsides and pavements are in total control of the encroachers as if they have leased them for eternity.
The city residents face traffic snarls and agonising congestions on a daily basis in almost all busy parts of the city.
Ever-increasing encroachments in different localities of the city have become a permanent source of nuisance for commuters.
One can see illegally erected structures, display of items, roadside stalls, and push carts all along every major and link road.
This tendency results in frequent traffic jams, creating hurdles for pedestrians and motorists alike. The menace also results in a high number of traffic accidents and brawls.
It sometimes becomes next to impossible for pedestrians to walk through Raja Bazaar, City Saddar Road, Bara Bazaar, Trunk Bazaar, Kishmiri Bazaar, Jamia Masjid Road, Narnkari Bazaar, Adiala Road, Dalgara Bazaar, Fawara Chowk, Sadiqabad, Commercial Market and several other localities of the city.
The situation is no different within cantonment board jurisdictions where the encroachment mafia freely rules several commercial areas including Tench Bhatta, Chungi No 22, Tulsa Road, Sher Zaman Colony, Saddar, Scheme-III and other areas.
The encroachers leave minimum space for them to tread from one shopping centre to another.
“It feels like free for all. They are everywhere, encroaching busy roads, pavements and footpaths leaving no space for pedestrians,” said Faheem Ahmed, a resident of Gawalmandi.
“Even the vehicles cannot move smoothly on major roads of the city. We also see road accidents and brawls due to this tendency,” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 17th, 2022.