Rising number of encroachments challenge for Hijrat Colony

KARACHI: Hijrat Colony, as its name suggests, is a dwelling in transit. Its biggest challenge is the every growing issue of encroachments. The colony itself snakes through an important section of the city. But there are few who, is asked, would be able to pinpoint where it exactly is situated. One of the reasons for this may be that the colony, which grew along the main railway tracks between Clifton and PIDC bridges, remains hidden from the view of most commuters in the city. And yet, it exists and is home for thousands.

The encroachments are a growing hurdle for the thousands of people who live in the colony. These illegal set ups are not only limited to the main road but also extend to the colony’s web of streets and by-lanes. Now area councilors have vowed to tear them down.

Today, not one single streets remains in the colony where a large vehicle like a four-wheel drive could pass easily. Only small vehicles, the ever present Suzukis, non-mechanized transport and motorcycles seem to be the choice of transport as a result.

The colony gives any visitor an impression of neglect. Most of the streets are without streetlights. Then there are the other encroachments that take away even more space. One could not pass through the main road on foot easily due numerous pushcarts selling a variety of things.

Officially, Hijrat Colony is a part of UC-9, Civil Lines, Saddar Town. It is situated just opposite Bath Island. Along the colony runs the Ahmad Raza Khan Road which links the colony with Queen’s Road at PIDC Bridge.

The majority of the inhabitants are Pushto speaking while there is a sprinlking of people from other ethnic backgrounds. It is estimated that the population of the colony could be around 40,000. There are five sectors in this locality namely A, B C and D-1 and D-2. All the sectors comprise six or eight street except Sector D-2 which has about 60 streets.

The history of the colony is one that has been

seen repeating itself several times allover the city. In 1962, 260 huts had been constructed by some of the inhabitants of the City Railway Colony.

Owing to the convenient location of the colony and its proximity to both Clifton and I.I. Chundrigar Road, the population of the locality started growing rapidly. No planning was taken into consideration during the expansion of the locality. That’s why the streets are very narrow and of varying sizes.

Many streets are winding and twisted as if the houses came first and the roads came as an afterthought. In 1987, during the time of prime minister Junejo, the colony was legalized and residents were given leases. But that did not end their problems.

It still retains some of the rural charm that has now disappeared from other parts of Karachi. For example, Hijrat colony is one of those few localities in the metropolis where buffalo pens (baras) are still being run. They are in operation in what is an otherwise residential area despite ban by the authorities concerned.

These buffalo pens whose number is around 12 are situated alongside the railway’s tracks at the rear side of the colony. The residents of the area believe that the people behind these pens are so influential that responsible authorities could not put them out of this place. Some others say that they haven’t been removed because they provide a useful service. Fresh milk. In a city where the only thing usually available has an expiry date.

There are also some warehouses of junkyard dealers in the locality. But Hijrat Colony also has its share of educational institutions. There are various government and private primary schools, and a government middle school and a secondary school in the locality. The people of the locality believe that the literacy rate of the area could be around 50 to 60 percent. This is very impressive as the inhabitants here seem to be very conservative in their approach otherwise.

UC Nazim, Muhammad Sharif Awan when contacted said that the lack of potable water was the major problem for the inhabitants of Hjrat colony. He said that while many of the residents have the facility of piped water, a large number still relied on other resources for this basic necessity.

“The inhabitants are ready to pay water dues to the Karachi Water & Sewerage Board (KWSB) provided they facilitate them with their expertise in water connections and make the water distribution system effective. Sometime back I had personally guaranteed KWSB the recovery of Rs5 million from the area but nothing concrete on their side has taken place so far,” Awan lamented.

He said that he would initiate an anti-encroachment drive in the colony soon. Awan was optimistic that the majority of the population would appreciate his action, which is being taken for their own welfare. While most people would applaud, there are many who would oppose this on the grounds that spirit of the colony remains in its transition. And yet as Karachi expands, one gets the feeling that its time the colony settled down.