Clearing encroachments: KMC faces a tough time

SHC orders removal of all illegal occupations within four weeks.

KARACHI:

The Sindh High Court has once again given four weeks time to the local administration for removing the encroachments under all the flyover bridges in the city but the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation is well aware that is up against a huge challenge.

The problem of encroachments seems to have spread all over the city with people taking every conceivable measure to reoccupy the free-piece of land in the expensive city.

“Occupying the space of course illegal,” said Altaf G Memon, the KMC director technical services. “There is no provision for using the open space underneath bridges for any kind of commercial activity. We will take action as per the court order.”

Constructed to ease traffic congestion, the judges noted that the flyovers have become a bane for the motorists as the local administration has rent out land beneath such bridges to mint money by constructing shops.

Open space under the Baloch Colony flyover bridge along the Sharae Faisal has been rented out by the Pakistan Air Force, perhaps to take avenge from the local administration for not providing them alternate space according to agreement between the two.

In December 2012, the SHC had given the KMC two weeks to clear all overhead bridges from encroachments and submit compliance report. But, no progress has been made.

Justice Maqbool Baqir, who headed the bench, gave another four weeks time to the KMC to clear all flyovers in city of encroachments and submit compliance report within a month. The bench also ordered that the Pakistan Air Force may also compensate a petitioner, who had spent huge money on shop situated under the Baloch Colony flyover, as the same was to be demolished by the KMC.

An epidemic

While the misuse of bridges was highlighted because of the legal tussle between KMC and the cantonment board as the latter rented out land under the Baloch Colony Flyover, the menace of encroachments has spread across the city.

Most of the 28 overhead bridges have become the preferred location for running businesses - from fruit sellers and push-cart traders to auto mechanics and barbers, everyone has a spot.

In some cases, the empty spaces have also turned into preferred points for drug peddlers and cell-phone snatchers.

Memon said that proposals to make use of the space underneath the bridge are made every time a bridge is planned. “We could have a couple of benches, install a light so people have a place to sit and relax.”

The corporation is aware that the growth in cluster of multi-storey buildings has snatched open spaces from people. “But what can we do? The anti-encroachment department and police should reclaim those spaces.”

In face of constant criticism, a few months ago, KMC launched a programme by stationing rescue service vehicles under the bridges.

It has built around nine emergency response centres where ambulances and city wardens are deputed besides the fire brigade staff. A total of 50 such centres were envisioned but have yet to be made. Already understaffed and ill-equipped, the fire brigade department says its resources have been stretched. Fire department has a total of 45 fire tenders but most of them are out of order and most of the 21 stations spread across the city only had one.

At some locations, the corporation’s charged-parking department has also allowed private contractors to run the parking service, said Memon.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 17^th, 2013.