KARACHI, Aug 24: At a time when the city government, in coordination with 18 town administrations, has launched a cleanliness campaign in the city, no attention was being paid to remove encroachments on footpaths of the city’s main thoroughfares, streets and busy commercial areas.

A visit to different parts of the city, such as Mohammad Bin Qasim Road (formerly known as Burnes Road), Haquani Chowk, Tariq Road, its main commercial area, Saddar’s Daudpota and Mansfield Streets, would show that encroachments were not only causing traffic jams, were also a main source of creating filthy a environment.

As far as Burnes Road, Daudpota Road and Mansfield and Preedy streets, one could see that more than two, out of the four tracks, often remain heavily occupied by pushcarts and hawkers selling fruits, old and new shoes and various other merchandise.

Vehicular traffic passing through these roads often remain stuck up for various durations, emitting hazardous smoke and causing delays to the commuters and motorists, besides wastage of petrol.

Though the civic agency concerned had off and on removed encroachments from Saddar’s Daudpota Road and Mansfield and Preedy Streets in the past, no serious efforts have been made to bring an end to the menace of encroachments from Burnes Road and Haquani chowk despite the fact that the width of these roads had been reduced to half and their footpaths are encroached by pushcarts, selling fruits, vegetables, meat and chicken and other food and household items.

Those visiting Burnes Road which is generally known as food street, would often confront with stinking atmosphere as those occupying these roads and their footpath usually spread all sorts of filth all around.