MARDAN: District nazim Himayatullah Mayar has accused the officials of various departments, including TMA, of violating building bylaws, allowing haphazard construction of commercial markets and plazas, which hinder smooth flow of traffic in Mardan city.

Talking to Dawn, he alleged that the officials of TMA were busy in approving plans for construction of multiple-storey plazas without specifying car parking which was a clear violation of the civic body’s bylaws.

“Though the original plan mentions car parking for such structures the developers convert these places into shops or warehouses,” he said.

The district nazim said such irregularities were being committed with mutual understanding between TMA officials and developers.

He pointed out that due to absence of proper car parking the visitors were parking their vehicles on the roadsides which had been creating hurdles in smooth movement of traffic. “The use of car parking for some other purposes is encroachment which needs to be avoided,” he stressed.

Mr Mayar alleged that officials of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Highway Authority, communication and works department, Punjab Regiment Centre and Cantonment Board Mardan were also involved in violation of the building bylaws.

He said the government land along the roads continued to be encroached by owners of the adjacent land, causing huge loss to the national kitty.

He demanded of the authorities concerned to take serious action against the officials involved in such irregularities.

When contacted, TMO Shehryar Khan expressed his ignorance on the issue, saying he had been on leave for over a month.

Adil Shah, draftsman at the TMA office, rejected the allegations about approving construction plans which violated the bylaws. He claimed that the civic body sealed the properties raised in violation of the building code.

However, he admitted that spaces meant for car parking were being used for commercial activities.

Published in Dawn, March 18th, 2017