City cracks the whip on encroachments

From parking lots to roadside eateries, authorities launch campaign to reclaim roads, footpaths

KARACHI:

The city's administration has stepped up its campaign against encroachments and other civic violations, with authorities demolishing illegal markets, clearing unauthorised parking lots, removing roadside eateries from footpaths, and acting against LPG retailers accused of overcharging.

Commissioner Karachi Syed Hassan Naqvi has instructed all deputy commissioners to sustain the operation to improve traffic flow, reclaim public spaces and strengthen enforcement of government regulations.

The commissioner directed deputy commissioners to ensure that roads and footpaths remain free of encroachments, with particular emphasis on eliminating roadside hotels occupying public spaces, during a meeting on Sunday. He also ordered strict legal action against those found responsible for violations.

Naqvi commended field officers actively working to remove encroachments, curb the sale of unsafe CNG cylinders, enforce official prices of essential commodities, and improve civic services through effective implementation of government directives.

Deputy commissioners presented reports on measures taken to enforce official prices of flour and other essential commodities, remove encroachments, and improve public service delivery, according to a handout issued by the Commissioner's Office. While appreciating the ongoing efforts, the commissioner stressed the need to make enforcement more effective.

Assistant Commissioner Site Muhammad Yousuf led a major anti-encroachment operation along Mauripur Road, from the start of the Lyari Expressway to Sher Shah. The operation targeted several long-standing illegal structures in the Site subdivision.

Among the demolished permanent encroachments was an illegal timber market operating beneath a bridge, which was completely removed. Authorities also demolished an unlawful occupation by a construction company that had allegedly established a cattle pen and other unauthorised structures on government land.

The operation also cleared a large, organised illegal parking lot that had occupied a vast area for years and was contributing to traffic congestion. Officials removed approximately 50 to 80 illegally parked vehicles, including both private and commercial vehicles.

The drive was carried out with the participation of the Anti-Encroachment Force, Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), and local police.

Meanwhile, Assistant Commissioner North Nazimabad Nemat Khan conducted an operation against encroachments on footpaths and roadside restaurants in North Nazimabad. During the action, authorities confiscated tables and chairs that were being used illegally by roadside eateries occupying public spaces.

In Bin Qasim subdivision, Assistant Commissioner Sajjad Ansari launched a crackdown on LPG retailers allegedly selling gas above the government-notified price at Ghaghar Phatak. Three LPG outlets were inspected, with one shop sealed and fines totaling Rs10,000 imposed on three outlets for violating official pricing regulations.