Encroachments in Lahore

It is time to reclaim initiative from the land grabbers, others who make life for commuters and pedestrians a misery.

Encroachments are a curse wherever they happen, be they big or small. They may have been a feature of life for as long as anybody can remember but that does not mean they are acceptable or desirable. They are illegal, impede foot and vehicular traffic and deny rightful use to the owners of the land they squat on. They affect towns and cities across the land and are the occasional object of attention by civic authorities that conduct clearances — but the encroachers are invariably back within days or weeks. Recently, the city of Lahore had an anti-encroachment drive, one of two it conducts every year, and once again, its effects were swiftly negated. Drastic measures are called for and the city district government is now considering the establishment of a standing squad that operates year round to break the hold of the encroachers and just as importantly, those who support and facilitate them.

This is not going to be a popular move, especially with the shopkeepers who illegally rent the roadsides and pavements in front of their shops. Neither will it be popular with those who build illegal filling stations, hotels, shops and residential developments on land which they have no right or title to. Henceforward, shopkeepers may find their shops sealed if they breach anti-encroachment legislation, and goods confiscated. A proposal that the squad be established will be sent to the commissioner within the week, and it is much to be hoped that it will be approved. It is time to reclaim the initiative from the land grabbers and others who make life for commuters and pedestrians a misery, restore traffic and pedestrian flows in congested areas and clamp down on the culture of impunity that allows encroachments to thrive. Lahore has already proved that determined, indeed ruthless, action pays dividends with the razing of illegal structures on a five-kanal plot in the Lorry Adda recently. There is no reason why a permanent anti-encroachment squad cannot help end this menace in the city.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 6^th,  2014.

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