Without let or hindrance: In Rawalpindi, residential areas being swallowed up by commercial ventures
Residents complain of loss of privacy, peace of mind.
In Rawalpindi, residential areas being swallowed up by commercial ventures. DESIGN: FAIZAN DAWOOD.
RAWALPINDI:
Thousands of cases of violation of laws governing land use in residential areas are evident throughout the garrison city, but municipal officials seem to be in no mood to take action.
“The place where National Market has been built was designated as a parking space for the surrounding localities. It has now turned into a full-fledged market thanks to city managers, making life tough for us,” said Binte Fatima, a resident of Asghar Mall Scheme.
“As commercial activities gain momentum in our neighborhood, we have to deal with the filth and noise pollution,” said Afshan Sharif living near National Market on Kali Tanki Road.
We have been deprived of privacy as commercial units have sprung up right in front of our houses. We cannot just move out as we have lived here for two generations, said a resident of Tench Bhata.
“We know many people who want to set up a side business to support their families. The idea is not bad if it is limited to running a small enterprise like a grocery shop but building commercial plazas in residential areas is pushing it a bit,’’ said Dr Imam Ali, who runs a clinic in Commercial Market, Satellite Town.
“A two-storey plaza on two marlas has come up just opposite my house. I don’t know who gave them the permission to do so in a residential locality,’’ said Jamila Sheikh, a resident of Fazal Town.
There is little difference between residential and commercial areas in Rawalpindi city and cantonment now, said Naveed Hussain, a lawyer. Hundreds of companies have set up their offices in many residential localities like Asghar Mall, Dhoke Kashmirian, Dhoke Kala Khan and Shamsabad, he added. “Even industrial activities in some residential localities like Tehmasabad, Glass Factory Chowk and Banni are no secret.”
Jhanda Chichi, Tahli Mohri, Sir Syed Chowk, Mareer Hasan, Dhoke Charagh Din have all been commercialized, Hussain stated. The situation is the same in Tench Bhata, People’s Colony, Kamalabad, Misrial Road, Range Road and Peshawar Road. “Dhoke Syedan, Scheme III, Harley Street, Westridge, Dheri Hassanabad, Tariqabad, Dhoke Hassu, Quaid-i-Azam Colony and Adiala Road are no exception.”
It is alleged that commercial units come up in residential areas by greasing the palms of officials,” said Tassawar Hussain, a businessman.
“The question is who pays these officials? The briber is the one at fault. If a case like this comes to our notice, we will definitely take action,” said Safdar Karim, an RDA official.
Satellite Town is a brilliant example of how poor urban planning can ruin a residential locality, said Hashim Ali, a resident of D Block.
“Unchecked growth of commercial organisations has reduced this once-posh locality to a clutter of educational institutes, health centres, clinics, bakeries, grocery shops, offices and restaurants.”
Similarly, residential plots and buildings around Holy Family Hospital have been transformed into commercial spaces, complexes and offices, while the civic authorities have turned a blind eye, he added.
Col (retd) Ejaz Malik from Katarian summed it up. “It’s hard to say whether the Rawal Town Tehsil Municipal Administration, Rawalpindi Cantonment Board, Chaklala Cantonment Board or Rawalpindi Development Authority is responsible for the mess. But it seems all of them have joined hands to destroy the peace of the city’s residents.”
Published in The Express Tribune, November 5th, 2013.
Thousands of cases of violation of laws governing land use in residential areas are evident throughout the garrison city, but municipal officials seem to be in no mood to take action.
“The place where National Market has been built was designated as a parking space for the surrounding localities. It has now turned into a full-fledged market thanks to city managers, making life tough for us,” said Binte Fatima, a resident of Asghar Mall Scheme.
“As commercial activities gain momentum in our neighborhood, we have to deal with the filth and noise pollution,” said Afshan Sharif living near National Market on Kali Tanki Road.
We have been deprived of privacy as commercial units have sprung up right in front of our houses. We cannot just move out as we have lived here for two generations, said a resident of Tench Bhata.
“We know many people who want to set up a side business to support their families. The idea is not bad if it is limited to running a small enterprise like a grocery shop but building commercial plazas in residential areas is pushing it a bit,’’ said Dr Imam Ali, who runs a clinic in Commercial Market, Satellite Town.
“A two-storey plaza on two marlas has come up just opposite my house. I don’t know who gave them the permission to do so in a residential locality,’’ said Jamila Sheikh, a resident of Fazal Town.
There is little difference between residential and commercial areas in Rawalpindi city and cantonment now, said Naveed Hussain, a lawyer. Hundreds of companies have set up their offices in many residential localities like Asghar Mall, Dhoke Kashmirian, Dhoke Kala Khan and Shamsabad, he added. “Even industrial activities in some residential localities like Tehmasabad, Glass Factory Chowk and Banni are no secret.”
Jhanda Chichi, Tahli Mohri, Sir Syed Chowk, Mareer Hasan, Dhoke Charagh Din have all been commercialized, Hussain stated. The situation is the same in Tench Bhata, People’s Colony, Kamalabad, Misrial Road, Range Road and Peshawar Road. “Dhoke Syedan, Scheme III, Harley Street, Westridge, Dheri Hassanabad, Tariqabad, Dhoke Hassu, Quaid-i-Azam Colony and Adiala Road are no exception.”
It is alleged that commercial units come up in residential areas by greasing the palms of officials,” said Tassawar Hussain, a businessman.
“The question is who pays these officials? The briber is the one at fault. If a case like this comes to our notice, we will definitely take action,” said Safdar Karim, an RDA official.
Satellite Town is a brilliant example of how poor urban planning can ruin a residential locality, said Hashim Ali, a resident of D Block.
“Unchecked growth of commercial organisations has reduced this once-posh locality to a clutter of educational institutes, health centres, clinics, bakeries, grocery shops, offices and restaurants.”
Similarly, residential plots and buildings around Holy Family Hospital have been transformed into commercial spaces, complexes and offices, while the civic authorities have turned a blind eye, he added.
Col (retd) Ejaz Malik from Katarian summed it up. “It’s hard to say whether the Rawal Town Tehsil Municipal Administration, Rawalpindi Cantonment Board, Chaklala Cantonment Board or Rawalpindi Development Authority is responsible for the mess. But it seems all of them have joined hands to destroy the peace of the city’s residents.”
Published in The Express Tribune, November 5th, 2013.