Railways reclaims encroached land

Pakistan Railways' Rawalpindi Division has reclaimed railway land worth millions of rupees after carrying out a large-scale anti-encroachment operation in parts of the city, officials said.

The operation was conducted in Dhok Mangtal, Boring Road and Habib Colony, where railway authorities, assisted by the Railway Police and the district administration, demolished what they described as illegal residential and commercial structures built on railway-owned land.

Heavy machinery, including bulldozers, was deployed during the operation. According to railway officials, 17 houses, five shops, three warehouses and other unauthorised structures were demolished, and the encroached land was taken back into the possession of Pakistan Railways.

Railway officials said the operation encountered resistance from some occupants, which was overcome with the assistance of the Railway Police, allowing the clearance drive to proceed.

Divisional Superintendent Noor Din Dawar told the media that the operation had resulted in the recovery of railway land valued at millions of rupees.

He said Pakistan Railways would not tolerate illegal occupation of its land under any circumstances and that the reclaimed property would remain under constant surveillance to prevent fresh encroachments.

Dawar added that indiscriminate action against illegal occupations would continue as part of efforts to protect public assets, restore railway property and remove obstacles to future development projects.