ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Friday demolished an under-construction marquee at Kashmir Highway in G-12.

A couple of years ago, the CDA had conducted operations against illegal marquees and buildings constructed on state land in the same area.

The area falls in the revenue estate of Chahan, which was acquired by the CDA decades ago. However, according to the CDA, the local people who have already received compensation from it built buildings on the land again. The under-construction marquee was also being built on the state land.

However, sources said, a number of other buildings were being constructed in the area and the CDA was likely to launch an operation against them after Eid.

A press release issued by the CDA said its enforcement directorate also conducted operations in Bari Imam, G-7, G-8, Margalla Town and demolished illegal constructions and encroachments.

Illegal five boundary walls, four rooms, four gates, one kitchen and two bathrooms were also demolished in Bari Imam.

Under-construction illegal walls in a katchi abadi adjacent to Awami Market, G-7/2, were also razed.

Moreover, a junk food shop in Musharaf Colony, G-8/4, was pulled down while an under-construction boundary wall on state land in Margalla Town was also demolished. Due to negligence of the CDA, encroachments have increased in different parts of the city for the last two decades. Instead of conducting operations on massive scales, the civic agency conducts operations in bits and pieces.

Currently, almost all markets in the city are encroached where public places like virandas and corridors are being used for commercial purposes by shopkeepers.

Published in Dawn, August 1st, 2020