RAWALPINDI
\nOnce known for its grandeur and vastness, the Rawalpindi city is presently encountering a challenge of illegal encroachments, making it a congested and crowded metropolis. Conversion of small bazars into mega markets nesting huge shopping plazas has multiplied illegal encroachments and now not only main bazars but adjacent streets have also gone stuffy.
\nThe practice goes on with the connivance of shopkeepers, vendors and the municipal authorities as soon after any action against encroachers we again see their mushroom growth within few days. Dr. Eman Zaffar, Assistant Commissioner (City) claims the issue rests with the shopkeepers and the administration has adopted a multipronged strategy to combat this menace.
\n\u201cConversion of thickly populated historic Raja Bazar in a pedestrian zone, providing alternate travel routes and consistently conducted anti-encroachment operations is an example,\u201d she said. \u201cWith these measures we are trying to once again transform this bazar into a spacious area.\u201d
\nHighlighting massive crackdown against encroachers, Dr Eman said the administration is all out for successful redressal of this long-awaited issue.
\nHowever, she emphasized on cognition of civic sense among masses. She termed population hike, increased urbanization and lack of self-responsibility as major issues. \u201cAnother complex issue relating to congestion is that old markets and buildings still host thousands of families at upper floors.\u201d
\n\u201cWe have to consider the civic dynamics of commercial cum residential areas as the markets are not only shopping hubs but also residential clusters. We require a sophisticated approach to address this situation,\u201d she explained.
\nAs all tiers of district and cantonment administration are on toes to cleanse Rawalpindi of encroachers, Almas Sabeeh, Assistant Commissioner (Cantt) also mentioned to crackdown on Adiala Road, Chakri Road, Morgah and Girja Road where concrete ramps were destroyed, moveable encroachments confiscated and punitive action was taken against encroachers.
\n\u201cBesides crackdown, we have also started an awareness campaign for shopkeepers, street venders and building owners to avoid creating hurdles through illegal encroachments\u201d said Almas Sabeeh.
\nAs it was a common complaint in the past that encroachers reappear after couple of days of any action, therefore to stop reappearance of soft encroachments, Chief Executive Officer, Rawalpindi Cantonment Board, Ali Irfan Rizvi has applied a \u2018monitor and action\u2019 strategy by deploying RCB Enforcement personnel in bazaars ensuring no carts, stalls and other moveable encroachments reafpear on roads.
\n\u201cThe deployed teams remain present in bazaars, check the situation and instantly respond to illegal movement\u201d, he said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
RAWALPINDI Once known for its grandeur and vastness, the Rawalpindi city is presently encountering a challenge of illegal encroachments, making it a congested and crowded metropolis. Conversion of small bazars into mega markets nesting huge shopping plazas has multiplied illegal encroachments and now not only main bazars but adjacent streets have also gone stuffy. The […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":472310,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-472285","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-national"},"yoast_head":"\n