RAWALPINDI: The Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) has stopped its anti-encroachment drive in Saddar after shopkeepers and elected members expressed resentment.

A senior RCB official told Dawn that the drive was launched last month but was stopped suddenly.

He said RCB had vacated the road adjacent to F.G. Cantonment Public School for Boys. He said the roadside was being used by fruit stalls and mechanics for parking cars they repair.

“The fruit stallholders claimed they had been removed to provide more space to the car workshops. However, senior officials assured them the area will be cleared of encroachments in the coming days,” he said.

RCB stopped the operation after removing some illegal structures in Saddar. Encroachments can be seen from Kashmir Road to Babu Mohallah and on Adamjee Road where mechanics keep spare parts and engines on footpaths and roadsides.

“We are not against the drive but the operation was just an eye wash and was limited to removing awnings and sun shades,” said Cantonment Traders Association General Secretary Zafar Qadri.

He told Dawn that the Supreme Court and the Lahore High Court had directed for the removal of encroachments in main commercial areas to ensure smooth traffic flow.

“RCB launched an operation in Chota Bazaar and Railway Road to remove illegal structures. The question is, how these structures were built in the first place in the presence of the cantonment’s building department,” he said.

“It is very difficult to get building plans approved and obtain a completion certificate from RCB. Officials serve notices if someone starts construction without an approved building plan,” he said.

RCB spokesperson Qaiser Mehmood was not available for comment despite repeated attempts.

However, a senior RCB official said the civic body was working on checking the approved building plans on the spot and in case of irregularities, proceedings will be started against owners of buildings in and around Saddar.

Published in Dawn, January 21st, 2019