KARACHI, Dec 1: In Orangi and SITE towns, encroachments along roadsides have multiplied traffic problems with no check from the authorities concerned.
The traffic situation is even worse at Banaras Chowk, as one track of the road near Banaras Bridge is temporarily closed for construction and encroachment along the road is adding to the miseries of the passers-by and motorists as well.
The makeshift stalls in Banaras, Shershah, Iqbal markets and the newly constructed market on the main Manghopir Road, hardly leave any room for the people to walk or board a bus, thus threatening the lives of many.
The worst part of the story is that those responsible for removing encroachments are openly seen collecting extortion money (bhatta) from these encroachers in the evening.
One such vendor told this scribe that each stall owner had to pay Rs10 daily to the men deputed by the local police so as to continue their activities.
He said those who failed to pay would have to face the wrath of the officials concerned.
