Civic amenities on Adiala Road are going down the drain as both Chaklala Cantonment Board (CCB) and Potohar Town Administration are turning a blind eye to the ever increasing encroachments and non-cleanliness in the area.
It was ironic to witness that the expanded road on which millions of rupees have already been spent had been taken over by the encroachment mafia in connivance of the CCB and town administration officials, the residents told APP.
Where in the world would a person find kitchens set up on polluted footpaths, complained Col (R) Ramzan, a resident of Askari-VII. Furthermore, vegetable stalls and kiosks have been set up on the footpath leaving no space for the pedestrians walking from Khawaja Corporation Chowk up to Gulshanabad. In addition, the Bakra Mandi set up at Defense Road turning had been adding to the woes of the citizens.
We are compelled to walk on the road as there was no space left on the footpath, said Major (R) Taj, who usually visited the bazaar for short walks. He said that he narrowly escaped being hit by a motorist one day while going to the bazaar.
Moreover, due to lack of cleanliness in the area, garbage was seen littered across the road. Similarly, a huge garbage heap was present on the road near Wahdat Colony and wild plants were growing unattended in the area due to negligence of the authorities concerned. Heaps of mud along both sides of the road gave a disgusting look to the area.
When officials of the departments concerned were asked about the prevailing situation they presented the typical official version stating that action would be taken soon against the mafia.
The residents of Askari-7, 13, 14 and numerous other colonies demanded of the Station Commander and DCO to visit the area and witness the situation first hand.
Meanwhile, the area residents called upon the Punjab Highway Department to carry out the necessary repair work on the road between Kutchery Chowk to Khawaja Corporation Chowk to save it from further damage.