‘Increasing encroachments a major problem’

RAWALPINDI
Ever-increasing encroachments in different localities of Rawalpindi have become a major problem for the inhabitants of the city; whereas the authorities concerned are only busy in hollow talk and taking no prompt action to wipe out this menace.
As was evident from the media talk of District Coordination Officer (Rawalpindi) Sajid Zafar Daal, who on Thursday only managed to denounce the poor performance of Rawal Town Administration (TMA) over ever-increasing encroachments in its jurisdiction, but took no action either against the TMA administration and the encroachers.
During media talk, the DCO was quite vocal to criticise the poor performance of TMA, however failed to give out a plan as to how this problem could be controlled.
On the other hand, encroachments contribute to traffic mess and trouble pedestrians in many localities of Rawalpindi, particularly in Raja Bazaar, Bara, Fawara Chowk, Bagh Sardaran, Sadiqabad, Muslim Town, City Saddar Road, Kashmiri Bazaar, Trunk Bazaar, Jamia Masjid Road, Banni, Pindora and several other localities.
The inhabitants of these localities while talking to this scribe said that encroachments were the main reason behind traffic jams throughout the city because encroachers virtually occupy half of the roads.
The motorists and pedestrians, they said face lots of problems because of the encroachers because almost all pavements are occupied by encroachers in connivance with the shopkeepers and TMA staff.
Muhammad Nawaz, a resident of Ganjmandi, said that traffic mess in this area is only because of the encroachers as they occupy both sides of the road with their carts and leave no space for parking which causes worst traffic jams.
He blamed the authorities for the mess, saying they only visit the area early in the morning, take away carts of some vendors, but afterwards the ground is clear for rest of the encroachers to rule the roost. Imran Abbasi, a motorist, said that it was very difficult to cross Raja Bazaar during the peak hours because encroachers make it virtually impossible for motorists to drive smoothly causing many accidents.