Existence of encroachments in cantonment areas perturbs Pindiites

Rawalpindi

Though the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board, as claimed by its officials, have intensified grand operations against encroachers in every ward, however, the people of some areas particularly Tench Bhatta complained about the existence of this problem despite orders of the Lahore High Court which directed the concerned authorities for removal of encroachments from Rawalpindi city and Cantonment areas.

The people of several areas including Tench Bhatta, People’s Colony, Kamalabad, Dhoke Syedan, Ghaziabad Colony, Westridge areas while approaching this correspondent complained about the existence of encroachments in their wards despite orders of the LHC to concerned authorities for its removal.

However, on approaching the incharge of Enforcement Cell, RCB, Hassan Jan besides staff it was told that RCB regularly carries out operation against encroachers who reappear through different influences. The RCB has now issued notices to all cart pushers to remove their push carts, creating encroachments. Notices have also been issued to shopkeepers to get remove stalls in front of their shops which results in encroachments. Hassan Jan and the enforcement staff also showed videos of operations which are carried out on daily basis in different wards.

When this correspondent suggested that why the civic body does not bound area inspectors for checking encroachments in their respective wards, Hassan Jan told that at present two inspectors are deputed one each in five wards. He said that a new plan is being chalked out for checking encroachments in RCB wards. The plan would be implemented after approval by the chief executive officer, RCB. Anyhow grand operations which are carried out regularly would be intensified after the Eidul Azha holidays.

While the RCB concerned officials defended their case, however, the people observed that existence of push carts is not only encroachment. Rather, display of goods by shopkeepers outside their shops, construction of cemented floors/structures outside the shops blocking roads is also part of encroachments. The enforcement staff while carrying operation should remove all kind of encroachments instead of taking action only against cart pushers, they demanded.

They have demanded off the station commander, RCB and its chief executive officer to direct the concerned staff and its head of enforcement cell to carry out operations against all those shopkeepers who have created encroachments while displaying their goods outside their shops besides removing push carts.