Encroachment Irks Residents of Rawalpindi

APP

Rawalpindi: Ever-increasing encroachment in different areas of the city remains one of the main issues being faced by the residents.

People have expressed their concerns over the poor response by the authorities concerned. With the start of the holy month of Ramadan, the main bazars and markets are witnessing huge congestion, creating difficulties for residents. The concerned administrations and allied departments need to take timely action.

Cantonment areas including Octri 22, Tench Bhatta, People’s Colony, Kalma Chok, and adjacent areas are facing consistent mess, particularly in the evening when a considerable number of vehicles enter these areas.

‘Shopkeepers extend their stalls on main roads, which create hurdles even for pedestrians to pass by the bazar,’ said Amir, a resident of Tench Bhatta.

He said that hawkers continuously move on roads, which results in hurdling the smooth running of vehicles. There must be a licensing system for allowing vegetable and fruit hawkers, he said.

Despite occasional visits to areas by the encroachment team of the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board, the situation remains unchanged.

‘The RCB team visits the markets in the morning even before the markets are open, which makes no difference,’ Amir complained, adding that the RCB team should hold surprise visits during the day.

He said that the road from Octri No. 22 to Qasai Choke faces severe traffic jams as a routine. People from surrounding areas visit this bazaar for shopping, which further adds to the road blockage.

Almost the same situation develops in Mughalabad, Abid Majid Road, and Peoples Colony localities.

‘In fact, Tench Bhatta is not only thickly populated but also, as a whole, serves as a corridor between the Sadar, Dhoke Syedan, and Dhamial areas, said Raja Babar, another resident.

He said that a systematic market management plan was needed to overcome the consistent prevailing issues. ‘ The encroachment has also affected human behavior, as it is accelerating aggression among residents.

A group of other residents demanded the sparing of a parking area on Tench Bhatta Road as one of the solutions to the issue. During Ramadan, the massive presence of people and vehicles on main roads has disturbed our mental health. They appealed to the authorities for strict and continued action against the encroaches.

When contacted, RCB officials informed me that anti-encroachment teams would soon be launching a special campaign in this regard.