'Stubborn' encroachers make fun of official claims

Administration, police turn a blind eye to illegal occupation of footpaths, roads

KARACHI:

Despite ongoing efforts by the Karachi commissioner and the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) to tackle encroachments in the city, several areas continue to be plagued by illegal occupations, severely disrupting traffic flow and pedestrian movement.

Main roads and inner city streets alike bear the brunt of encroachments, making it increasingly challenging for citizens to walk on sidewalks and thoroughfares safely.

While the authorities are conducting anti-encroachment operations, the situation on the ground tells a different story. Allegedly, local bodies, assistant commissioners, town administrations, police, and traffic personnel turn a blind eye or even extend support to encroachers, exacerbating the problem.

Commercial establishments along major thoroughfares exacerbate traffic congestion, with motorcycles and cars parked haphazardly outside shopping malls causing gridlocks and snarls, particularly on Rashid Minhas Road and the stretch from Jauhar Morr to Jauhar Chowrangi.

Encroachments around the National Stadium and old Sabzi Mandi further compound traffic woes, while shops and restaurants encroaching on footpaths at Hasan Square add to the chaos.

Several city areas, including Liaquatabad No 10, Teen Hatti, Karimabad, Ayesha Manzil, Water Pump Chowrangi, Sohrab Goth, and Guru Mandir, are also affected by encroachments, hindering smooth vehicular movement.

Commercial hubs like Tariq Road, Bahadurabad, and Saddar suffer from encroachment issues, with temporary shops obstructing roads and footpaths.

Even residential areas such as Muhammad Ali Society and Korangi witness encroachments, exacerbating congestion and pedestrian inconvenience.

In the Old City area, encroachments add to traffic snarls, while car showrooms on major roads contribute to congestion on Khalid Bin Waleed Road and New MA Jinnah Road.

Orangi Town and New Karachi face similar challenges, with Banaras Chowk and Orangi No 5 particularly affected.

Encroachments along Abul Hasan Isfahani Road and stalls set up by fruit vendors from Karachi University to Safoora Chowrangi further exacerbate the issue.

Despite efforts to address the problem, the persistence of encroachments underscores the need for more effective enforcement mechanisms and cooperation between relevant authorities to restore order to Karachi's streets.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 2^nd, 2024