Encroachments: an unending nuisance

KMC, DMCs, ACs, police, political figures allegedly patronise mafia

KARACHI:

Encroachments are causing serious problems in the metropolitan city where lack of urban planning has already made it virtually unlivable. It is becoming nearly impossible for pedestrians and motorists to make their way through illegally set up stalls, cabins, pushcarts, and other obstructions on roads and sidewalks.

The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), District Municipal Corporations (DMCs), assistant commissioners, police, and traffic police are allegedly helping the mafia. Political figures are also allegedly involved in these unlawful activities.

The problem is widespread. The entire roadside from North Karachi's Nagan Chowrangi up till Surjani Town's 4K Chowrangi, including footpaths, are filled with pushcarts, stalls, cabins, and other structures, causing problems for residents. Sir Syed Town and Khwaja Ajmer Nagri are particularly affected, with local police allegedly collecting extortion on a daily basis from the owners of pushcarts, stalls, and cabins.

It is not limited to these areas. The area between Sector 11C and B Amma Park in North Karachi has been held hostage by pushcarts mafia which has taken over the entire stretch of road. They have put up piles along the road at such a point that the residents have to face severe difficulties while turning the vehicle. And if they are asked to remove the obstructions, they say very boldly that no one can remove us as we pay extortion money regularly to KMC, DMC and local police on a daily basis.

Residents in District Central North Karachi report that concerned institutions only take action when they want to, stating that crackdown is being undertaken on court orders. A few days ago, Assistant Commissioner North Nazimabad cleared boards and sheds from the shops. However, he could not see scores of other encroachments, such as pushcarts, cabins and stalls on roads, footpaths, and neighborhoods. These encroachments cause significant problems for citizens and disrupt the flow of traffic.

The residents of the area have demanded SSP Central that the connivance of the police in the establishment of encroachment should be traced, and a joint strategy should be adopted with the relevant authorities to eliminate encroachments on public spaces. They hope that a solution can be found so that they can get rid of the difficulties and hardships they are facing due to encroachments.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, March 26^th, 2023.