The Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) and Chaklala Cantonment Board (CCB) on Wednesday launched a grand operation against encroachments and illegal constructions, demolishing structures in different parts of the cantonment areas.
Field teams used heavy machinery to demolish footpaths, sheds, ramps, parking sheds, and other unauthorised structures. The operation, conducted under a zero-tolerance policy, aims to continue relentlessly.
The RCB conducted the operation in areas including Saddar Bazaar, Coal Centre, Tench Bhata Road, Saddar Small Bazaar, Hathi Chowk, and Tench Bhata. During the operation, sheds in front of shops were demolished, and obstacles on pedestrian pathways were also removed. Pushcarts and other items on the streets were confiscated.
RCB Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ali Irfan Rizvi said that the operation would continue in the cantonment areas daily and in phases. The operation was carried out under the supervision of Additional CEO Arshad Khan and Deputy CEO Nasir Kamal, with the announcement that cases would be registered against those responsible for the encroachments.
Before the operation, notices were issued to traders in the markets, instructing them to remove their encroachments voluntarily. During the operation, footpaths were cleared.
Meanwhile, the CCB, under the supervision of Executive Officer Amir Rasheed and Chief Engineer Atiqur Rehman Chaudhry, carried out a comprehensive operation on the second day at areas including Kalma Chowk, Ghausia Chowk, Tahli Mohri, Chowki No. 22 to Kalma Chowk, and Dharmial Road.
Chief Engineer Chaudhry advised people and traders to remove their encroachments voluntarily as per the notices issued by the Board, or the operation would demolish any illegal structures marked during the operation.
On the second day of the operation, several individuals continued to demolish their own encroachments voluntarily in some areas. In addition to heavy machinery, the enforcement staff also used large hammers to break down structures.
In areas where permanent encroachments were demolished, the streets and footpaths were restored to their original width with proper measurements.
Sources in both Boards say that marking of encroachments continues across all business centres in the cantonment areas and that the operation will be carried out in phases across all areas.
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