BADIN, Aug 9: The Pakistan Railways authorities have issued notices to more than 500 families of ward-1, Badin, for removal of encroachments from the railway lands in 14 days, failing which action will follow.

The notices were issued by the Divisional Engineer, Pakistan Railways, Karachi.

According to reports, more than 45 acres of land owned by the Pakistan Railways was occupied by the residents of the katcha abadis when the Railway authorities left the land as surplus after having brought sufficient lands under operation.

Some 20 per cent land was occupied by the people who constructed pacca and kutcha houses at a land strip beside railway lines.

Many of the occupants had got their katcha abadis regularized, had secured proprietary rights of the plots under their possessions and had constructed pacca and katcha houses with amenities including electricity, water and telephone etc.

The Railways authorities have decided to get the entire Railway lands vacated from the occupants and have issued notices to the inhabitants of Haji Hashim Khaskheli village, Masan Wady and other localities of the ward-1 of the city.

They have warned the residents of severe action if they failed to vacate the land.

On the other hand, several dwellers have threatened to resist any move to eject them from their houses by the Railway authorities.

They said that they had spent huge amounts on levelling and developing the plots to make them suitable for residential purposes, without having any objections from the Railway officials.

They said their families were settled there since their forefathers.