ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Monday started an anti-encroachment operation along G.T. Road in Tarnol and removed encroachments from over 250 kanals of state land.

Backed by the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration and police, the CDA’s enforcement wing removed encroachments and constructions on the right of way by demolishing several plazas, markets and other illegal buildings.

A CDA statement says 250 kanals of state land was retrieved during the operation.

CDA sources said the civic agency had acquired 3,500 kanals on both sides of G.T. Road starting from the Daewoo bus terminal near EMI College to the Nicholson Monument in 1967. However, it did not take steps to protect its land from encroachers.

“During the first day of operation, illegal encroachments/constructions from [1.5km] on the right of way of G.T. Road, from Tarnol Phatak towards Peshawar, were completely demolished,” an official statement says.

It goes on to say that 150 illegal shops, 20 rooms, seven makeshift motels, 30 sheds, five kiosks, 10 fruit stalls, 10 hay stations, chicken shops and other structures were removed.

The operation was conducted after a demarcation was done by revenue staff of the CDA, ICT and National Highways Authority (NHA).

The survey found out that other than land grabbers, several petrol pumps established on land leased by the NHA were also encroaching on CDA land.

The planning wing had said the CDA’s acquired land fell in mouzas Dhoke Jando, Bhadana Khurd, Sangjani, Sarai Kharbooza, Tarnol and Jhangi Syedan.

CDA Director Enforcement Faheem Badshah, Assistant Commissioner Saab bin Asad and other relevant officers of CDA, ICT and NHA participated in the operation on Monday. Heavy contingents of police were deployed to handle any untoward situation as were the Counter Terrorism Force, Anti-Riot Police and Rangers.

CDA spokesperson Syed Safdar Ali said the operation will continue on Tuesday.

The right of way of other roads including I.J.P Road and Margalla Road are also encroached on.

Published in Dawn, November 20th, 2018