KARACHI: In a significant move, the Sindh government has started operations against illegal encroachments from the 38-kilometre-long Lyari river bed.

In a decisive move to reclaim public land from illegal encroachers, the Office of the Assistant Commissioner, SITE, district Keamari along with Sindh police and Rangers conducted a comprehensive anti-encroachment operation in the Lyari river bed from May 16 to May 18.

Although the operation faced resistance from encroachers, it completed with 80 per cent success on its clearance goals, said a statement issued on Saturday.

The operation, ordered by Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi, aimed to clear significant portions of the river bed encroached by various illegal structures and activities.

The first phase of the anti-encroachment drive commenced in the Pak Colony Old Golimar area, targeting an area over 1km long. Various illegal parking facilities, sand-crushing plants, water plants, and makeshift housing structures were identified.

One of the heads of the illegal parking mafia was arrested, and 75pc of the encroachments were cleared. The operation faced resistance from a mob of 300-400 people, but the government officials handled them through successful negotiations and carried on the drive for the next two days.

The efforts continued to clear the Pak Colony Bridge area, resulting in the removal of 80pc of the encroachments, including 15 makeshift houses, two warehouses, nine animal barns, and three permanent houses.

The final phase of the operation achieved a 98pc clearance rate, with the removal of additional makeshift and permanent houses.

During the anti-encroachment drive, it was observed that the main resistance against the drive came from the local residents who were displaced due to the Lyari Expressway project. The government field teams recommended that the resettlement and compensation process for displaced families requires further improvement to prevent future resistance.

Mr Naqvi emphasised the stakeholder involvement in removing obstacles in the subsequent phases and said, through strict vigilance and cooperation among all stakeholders, we can maintain the reclaimed areas and prevent future encroachments.

Published in Dawn, May 26th, 2024