THE Supreme Court orders to remove encroachments are being implemented without any planning. This is hindering the rehabilitation of affected shopkeepers.

It is unfortunate that not a single new market was constructed by the Karachi Muncipal Corporation in the last 40 years. The city needs more new markets as it has expanded tremendously in the past 25 years.

The Sindh government and KMC should start immediate construction of multi-storey market buildings with adequate parking. Four old markets and a KMC office building on Burnes Road, Bin Qasim Road, Fresco Chowk, Aram Bagh and Khori Garden can be used for this purpose.

The Sindh government can construct multi-storey market buildings at sites opposite to Boulton Market and at Preedy, Kharadar and Mithadar police stations. These police stations have ample space to house markets, besides a modern police station.

The proposed market at Preedy police station can house automobile and motorcycle mechanics operating in the area besides the auto parts market as well as the shops in Magazine Lines.

The space in the new markets should be given only on rent. This will generate regular income for the KMC and the Sindh government besides providing both entities with valuable immovable assets.

Mukkarram Bukhari

Karachi

Published in Dawn, December 5th, 2018