Action sought against encroachments in Mardan

MARDAN: People have set up illegal structures at bazaars in the Mardan city while the district administration is playing the role of a silent spectator. One Muhammad Khan said that several shops were built in the area without getting the formal approval of maps.

The encroachers have set up fruit and vegetable stalls on both sides of the road, causing inconveniences to pedestrians. He added that the majority of the plaza owners had rented the parking places. “The encroachers have occupied markets and bazaars allegedly with the connivance of officials which contribute to traffic mess and inconvenience to pedestrians” Muhammad Khan added.

He argued that encroachers had virtually occupied Charsadda Chowk, Malakand Chowk, Pakistan Chowk, Par Hoti Chowk, Shahidano Bazaar, Sarfaraz Ganj Bazaar, Bank Road, Shamsi Road, Adda Road and places in the Madan city.

One Naveed Khan said that the encroachers established illegal setups alongside roads by placing their showcases on footpath bearing items for sale which is troublesome for the customers visiting the market.

He alleged the officials concerned were least bothered to take action against the encroachers. Footpaths have been rented out by shopkeepers. The citizen said that encroachments were on the rise because the encroachers had backing of influential persons .

The city dweller added that all the shopkeepers were affiliated with traders’ organizations, therefore, they did not face any action from the authorities concerned due to their ‘connections’.

The citizens claimed that the union leaders of the traders’ associations exerted pressureon the administration not to take action against the encroachers. The citizens demanded the caretaker chief minister to order against the encroachments.