CCB fails to check encroachment mafia so far

Rawalpindi

In sheer contrast with Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (CCB), the performance of Enforcement Staff of the Chaklala Cantonment Board (CCB) is very disappointing and deplorable as mound of encroachments could be easily witnessed in main bazaars and markets falling in the vicinity of the CCB thus creating hurdles in smooth flow of traffic and problems for the pedestrians at large.

The presence of encroachers in different bazaars and markets not only speaks volume about the inability of the concerned staff and head of the enforcement branch but s clear violation of the orders of the Lahore High Court (LHC) Rawalpindi Bench to clean the encroachments from Rawalpindi Cantonment areas as well as the city.

A complete survey revealed that hub of encroachers including temporary and permanent including cart pushers, stall holders have occupied the roadsides without the fear of the enforcement staff of CCB in Rahimabad, Sir Syed Chowk, Dhoke Chiraghdin, Railway Scheme, Civil Line, Dheri Hassanabad, Airport Road, Dhoke Chiraghdin, Lalazar Colony, Chaklala Scheme No 1, Gracey Land etc.

The people of these localities expressed concern over the presence of encroachers and failure of the concerned civic body to clean the encroachments to rid the citizens from this agonizing menace.

While criticising the people appealed to the Station Commander and president of the Cantonment Boards as well as the Executive Officer of CCB to direct the concerned officials of the enforcement branch for launching grand operation against the encroachers to rid the citizens from the nerve wrecking problem of encroachments.

Besides creating traffic jams and problems to the pedestrians, the presence of encroachments in every bazaars and markets could pose security problems to the visitors thus endangering their lives.

When the incharge of Enforcement Staff, Rabnawaz was approached to get his comments over the issue, he told that action is taken against encroachers on regular basis however, they reappear at the conclusion of the drive. He told that grand operation against encroachers was carried out in Dheri Hassanabad on Friday however after the conclusion of the operation in the evening, the encroachers re-established their business on the roadsides of this area, he told. Rabnawaz assured to re-launch anti-encroachment drive in every ward which would be effective and practical.

Reacting to a question, secretary, CCB, Amanullah Khan said that he would take up the issue seriously and direct the incharge of the enforcement branch for deriving a strategy to clean every market and bazaar from encroachments.