KARACHI, June 6: The Director-General of Sindh Katchi Abadi Authority, Mir Nasir Abbas, said that a joint survey of the katchi abadis along the railway track existing prior to and after 1985 would be carried out from June 13 to 18. The survey will be carried out for effective implementation of orders issued with regard to the katchi abadis and to solve this old issue.

The decision was taken at a joint meeting with the officials of the Pakistan Railway, Board of Revenue, city government and the Sindh Katchi Abadis Authority.

It was decided that the issue concerning railway reservation would also be resolved in a realistic manner so that a uniform policy could be adopted for the residents of the katchi abadis.

The railway’s representative agreed that the issue of NOC for the katchi abadis existing prior to 1985 would be resolved after the fulfilment of necessary formalities, in the light of directives issued by the president.

It may be mentioned here that there are 30 such katchi abadis along the main railway line and branch lines including the Karachi Circular Railway which existed prior to 1985 but their lease matter is still pending.

A main reason in this regard was described as fixation of 10 and 50 feet reservations by the railway for main and branch lines, besides railway’s claim of ownership on various land on which katchi abadis have come into being. However, the city government and the board of revenue do not accept the railway’s claim.

On the other hand the railway’s 100 and 50 feet reservations too are being described as unrealistic as many of the government and private properties are situated close to the railway’s reservation. These include Awami Markaz, Falak Naz Apartments, PAF Housing Society, Museum and Cantonment Board Faisal etc which exist about 20 to 25 feet away from the main line.—APP