Operation clean-up begins

Rawalpindi : The Enforcement Cell of Tehsil Municipal Administration, Rawal Town Thursday launched a grand operation against the encroachments in Rawalpindi City. According to details provided by Mayor Rawalpindi, Sardar Nasim, Rawalpindi city has been divided into four sectors for carrying out anti-encroachment drive. Each sector is headed by Municipal Officer.

On the first day of operation, the enforcement staff carried out operations in Raja Bazaar, Barra Market, Liaquat Road, Ganjmandi, Kanak Mandi, Dhoke Ratta and Jinnah Road. During the operation, the enforcement staff confiscated goods of encroachers while removing them from outside the shops and roadsides creating encroachments. Dozens of push carts were confiscated besides motor bikes which were parked on non-parking lots creating encroachments and traffic jams.

Sardar Naseem told that heavy contingent of police accompanied the enforcement staff which in couple of bazars foiled the attempts of encroachers who tried to put resistance. While confiscating the goods, the enforcement staff imposed huge fines on encroachers. The goods of the shopkeepers were also removed which were placed for display outside the limited areas.

The mayor told this correspondent that prior to launching operation, on his directives, the head and staff of enforcement cell had served notices to shopkeepers and stall holders warning them through banners as well to remove their business which cause encroachments. Through notices and banners the encroachers were directed to end encroachment by December 17.

Replying to a question, Sardar Nasim said that the confiscated goods as well as push carts would not be returned to any person otherwise they would reset their business. Replying to a question, he said that the entire Barra Bazaar has been cleaned up from encroachments enabling the traffic to move on this road smoothly.

The current operation in this sector would continue till Saturday before going to other sectors from Monday including Sadiqabad, Muslim Town, Shamsabad, Commercial Market, Khayaban-e-Sir Syed, Banni, Saidpur Road, Peshawar Morr, Dhoke Khabba, Waris Khan areas etc.

“After taking over charge of mayor, I made a commitment to myself to clean the city from encroachments and the time has come to realise my commitment into reality. Enough time was given to people for ending their business along roads, footpaths and outside the shops. No recommendation or influence of politicians and influential people would be accepted in this regard,” Sardar Nasim cleared.

When asked that operation is launched against those who have created temporary encroachments, the mayor said that it is the first phase to remove them. Before start of the second phase of our drive our action would be taken against shopkeepers and traders for removing permanent encroachments like making sheds and cemented constructions outside their shops. All would be removed and the roads would be widened off by demolishing cemented constructions which had been made illegally, he assured. In the meantime, he told that meetings with shopkeepers and traders are being held directing them to cooperate with us in ending all type of encroachments. They have fully assured of their cooperation, mayor said.