The anti encroachment operation launched by the Tehsil Municipal administration to ensure smooth flow of traffic in the congested areas has been suspended for an indefinite period of time after strong protest by vendors.
The operation was launched in the congested old city areas of main Raja Bazar, Ganjmandi, Hamiltonroad, Dongi Khui, City Saddar and Jinnah road after repeated reminders by the Traffic police to the administration to remove encroachments that were causing traffic jams.
Irked by the failure of the administration, traffic police took the responsibility upon itself and its personnel started removing the vendors. The angry vendors gathered at the site and resisted the operation saying that only TMA had the authority to remove their stalls from which they earned livelihood for their children.
Chief Traffic Offier Khurram Janbaz said the operation was launched to ensure smooth flow of traffic. However due to dangerous law and order situation it has been suspended and now the police will carry it with the coordination of TMA and district police.
Thousands of stalls with fruits and landa clothes are the main reason for long traffic jams in these areas.
TMA officials, when approached, told the news agency on condition of anonymity that whenever they planned for the anti encroachment drive, the political leadership of the city opposed it tooth and nail.
They said the timing of the anti encroachment drive was not appropriate now as the local government elections were scheduled to be held very soon and the local leadership of PML-N would strongly oppose the initiative, fearing that it would have a negative impact on the election of their nominated candidates.
