BATTAGRAM: Local residents on Tuesday asked the quarters concerned to launch an anti-encroachment drive in the main Battagram Bazaar to clear the footpaths and banks of Nendhyar River from illegal structures.

They pointed out that traders had rented out spaces in front of their shops, where vendors had established their stalls, squeezing space for pedestrians and transporters. They said due to encroachments along the river floodwater entered houses and shops.

Mohammad Irfan Khan, a local activist, told Dawn that the district administration should constitute special anti-encroachment teams and task them with removing temporary and permanent structures from the main bazaar.

He said that it had become difficult for people to walk through the bazaar due to encroachments on the main Karakoram Highway.

He said the vendors had completely occupied the footpaths, forcing pedestrians to walk on the road.

However, some vendors claimed the relevant officials took bribe from them for allowing them to do business on the roadsides and footpaths.

Published in Dawn, July 5th, 2023