Despite directives of Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, encroachments have not been eliminated, and instead an alarming increase has been witnessed in the same in market places of the federal capital.
On the other hand, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) had failed to come up with a special strategy to purge the encroachments which contributed to traffic jams and also caused inconvenience to visiting shoppers at market places. Abapara Market, Melody Market, Peshawar Mor, F-10 Markaz, Super Market, G-9 Market, G-8 Markaz and Blue Area were heavily encroached by handcarts and shopkeepers who had placed their tables bearing goods for sale on footpaths and in the corridors, thus leaving no walking space for pedestrians.
In connivance of corrupt officials of the CDA, illegal transport stands, workshops, handcarts and booths have virtually occupied the entire area flanking Faizabad Flyover. Moreover, right of way on both sides of the IJP Road had also fallen to the encroachers.
Sources said that officials of the civic body received monthlies from encroachers and therefore refused to act against their interests. Encroachments have also increased to an alarming level in the fruit and vegetable market in I-1, while Lehtra Road was also occupied by a large number of hand carts and illegal booths which resulted in major traffic jams at critical times of the day. In Sector G-12, opposite Kashmir Highway, illegal markets have been erected and the illegal construction in the area was increasing with every passing day. It should be mentioned here that the new administration of the CDA had claimed to devise a new policy for booths and hoardings but encroachments still persisted due to corrupt practices of officials concerned.
