RAWALPINDI: The Metropolitan Corporation Rawalpindi (MCR) has been accused of failing to effectively address the issue of increasing encroachments in the city despite repeated promises to do so.
The encroachment mafia has taken control of various parts of the city, including roads, sidewalks, and residential areas, causing significant problems for pedestrians, traffic flow, and sanitation.
Commissioner Rawalpindi Division Liaquat Ali Chatha had previously promised to take action against the encroachment mafia but has failed to make any significant progress.
MCR’s anti-encroachment department has been accused of carrying out a “fixed match,” as the encroachers return to the same areas within hours of being removed.
Numerous areas, including Raja Bazaar, Sadiqabad, Muslim Town, Commercial Market, Satellite Town, City Saddar Road, Namak Mandi, Khayaban Road, Asghar Mall Road, Banni, Kohati Bazaar, Waris Kham, Rawal Road, Double Road, and Adiala Road, have been occupied by the encroachment mafia for years.
The Cantonment Board areas are also facing similar issues, with Lalkurti, Chungi No22, Dhoke Syedan Road, Bakramandi Road, Dehri Hassanabad, Tulsa Road, Scheme-III, and Tench Bhatta Road among the affected areas.
The Town Officer (Regulation) Imran Ali stated that the MCR was continuously taking action against the encroachment mafia on a daily basis, but the problem persisted.
Rawalpindi Commissioner has conducted visits to the inner city markets, and according to his instructions, a line will be drawn on every road to prevent encroachment.
However, illegal parking on both sides of these roads and the presence of carts on footpaths have become a norm.
Furthermore, the encroachment issue in Rawalpindi has become a serious concern, and citizens are urging the concerned authorities to take immediate action against the encroachment mafia to restore order to the city’s streets and sidewalks.
