Anti-encroachment drive along railway tracks begins in Hyderabad
HYDERABAD: The administration of Pakistan Railways (PR) launched an operation on Monday against encroachers along up-and-down country track near Hyderabad Railway Station where a tragedy occurred on June 20, causing death of three drivers of the PR.
During the operation launched in the morning, houses, shops and godowns located in close proximity of down-country railway track near Khaskheli Mohallah were demolished. The encroachers had sought some time from the PR authorities, but it was denied. The action would continue.
The operation was launched under supervision of PR officer Badarul Arfeen and Assistant Commissioner Latifabad Arshad Ibrahim Siddiqui.
Heavy machinery was used to demolish ground-plus-two storey houses and structures. Cattle pens were also established near the tracks.
People from the locality gathered there, but did not offer any resistance and the entire exercise went smoothly.
No unpleasant incident was reported. A heavy contingent of police remained present there. A few godowns’ owners wanted time to shift their goods, but it was denied. They arranged vehicles and shifted the goods. They also claimed that they had set up their godowns after seeking permission from the municipal authorities under some documentation. According to PR officer Badarul Arfeen, in the first phase encroachments near Khaskheli Mohallah were being demolished and in the second phase, unauthorised structures on both sides of track, within 92ft to 186ft space, would be removed up to Sehrish Nagar strip. He said that notices had been issued to the encroachers four months ago.
Published in Dawn, July 9th, 2019
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