GT Road cleared of encroachments

The local administration, during what they said a massive anti-encroachment drive, cleared a section of the GT Road near the Hassan Abdal bus stand and adjacent areas of encroachment.

Led by Attock Assistant Commissioner Dr Sana Ramchand, the officials from the National Highway Authority, Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) and the police removed the encroachments from both sides of the GT Road and adjacent areas as these encroachments were creating traffic gridlocks, causing inconvenience for the commuters.

According to a statement, the authorities also demolished several illegal extensions and encroachments made by shopkeepers by placing their merchandise especially, vegetables, fruit, second-hand clothing, and soft drink besides confiscating pushcarts placed on the roadsides. The local administration used heavy machinery to remove cemented encroachments and steel fixtures which were constructed and erected in front of various shops and plazas.

A heavy contingent of police was present to deal with any untoward incident or interference from the shopkeepers and traders. Pushcart vendors were also removed from the bus stand and roads. "We have time and again warned the vendors to remove the encroachments on their own.

However, when they did not pay heed to our requests, we had to act," the DC said while talking to this scribe at the site to monitor the operation. She ordered an effective strategy with strict measures against constructions built without approved building plans.

Replying to a question, she said that it would be ensured that no encroachment is made in the area in the future.

The DC said that legal action would be taken against encroachers in the future and no pressure whatsoever would be tolerated.

Responding to another question, she said that if any official of the TMA was found supporting or protecting the encroachers, action would also be taken against them. Meanwhile, TMA officials warned shopkeepers against making any encroachment in future.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 18^th, 2023.