Occupation: Encroachments causing nuisance in Rawalpindi

Encroachers have set up stalls, kiosks on footpaths and major roads creating hurdles for pedestrians and shoppers.

RAWALPINDI:

Encroachments by vendors, motorcyclists and motorists in major market areas of Rawalpindi has become a nuisance for the citizens as the authorities have turned a blind eye to the issue.

The encroachers have set up stalls, kiosks on footpaths and major roads including Murree Road, Bara Market, Namak Mandi, Narankari Bazaar, Fawara Chowk, Trunk Bazaar, Jamia Masjid Road, Sadiqabad, Muslim Town, Commercial Market, Saidpur Road, Asghar Mall Road, Ganjmandi Road, Dhoke Mangtal Road and Bagh Sardaran, creating hurdles in hassle-free movement for pedestrians and shoppers besides causing traffic congestions.



“We cannot move in markets as encroachers have almost occupied every free space,” said Nadeem Warriach, who was visiting the Bara Market.

Muhammad Akmal, a visitor to the Saddar bazaar, said that parking plazas were the need of the hour to solve parking issues, as motorists park their vehicles on main roads and footpaths causing traffic congestion.  “The encroachers have occupied almost all roads and footpaths and open spaces, but the authorities are nowhere to be seen to remove them,” he said.

Chief Traffic Officer Rawalpindi Senior Superintendent Police Shoaib Khurram Janbaz said that traffic problems in the city could not be resolved without removing the all pervading encroachments.

He said, however, that parking on wrong sides of roads was being checked strictly to ensure smooth flow of traffic as traffic police officers have been directed to take action against violators. He said that traffic wardens have also been directed to work with commitment to avoid traffic snarls.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 22^nd, 2014.