IT is shocking to see the relevant authorities constructing a footpath on Sharea Faisal on the stretch between airport and Star Gate, thereby illegally giving legal cover to the already encroached upon one lane and service road.

In fact, two kilometres long service road and a part of Sharea Faisal between Wireless Gate and Star Gate have been encroached upon by auto mechanics and other commercial concerns for the last two decades.

The encroachments are preserved by erecting iron grill along the main Sharea Faisal. While the encroached area of service road is used by mechanics, the left lane of main road is now permanently used as parking lot for white cabs and mechanics.

Sharea Faisal has virtually been reduced to two lanes at this busy section which is the entry and exit point for Karachi airport.

This situation not only causes severe traffic jams at this point, but also paints an ugly picture of Karachi when a visitor come out of airport and starts moving towards city.

Now this footpath is being constructed on a war footing on the remaining left lane of Sharea Faisal. This will not only further reduce the main road but will actually detach the above mentioned encroachments from main road, downplaying the encroachment issue.

Therefore, construction of this footpath is not only an illegal act by government agencies but also connivance on their part to provide cover to the encroachers on permanent basis.

Surely, the new footpath will also be encroached upon in coming times in the form of makeshift shops and stalls as is happening everywhere in Karachi.

Raihan A. K. Lodhi

Karachi

Published in Dawn, October 1st, 2018