KARACHI, Jan 9: Car wash services available at roadside in the heart of city, Saddar, has become a major cause of traffic congestion in the vicinity of provincial secretariat, but the concerned authorities are least interested to remove the encroachment on permanent basis.

It has been observed that vehicles are parked in double and triple lanes, even on the footpaths, in front of the Federal Investigation Office offices on Shahrah-i-Iraq.

A number of government offices are located on this thoroughfare including that of passport, provincial election commission, family planning and National Accountability Bureau.

The situation worsens during peak hours and once could hardly use this road.

Usually, a police constable is seen controlling the situation which indicates that encroachers have been given free hand.

A police official pleading anonymity said action against the encroachment could hardly be taken as many policemen were offered free car wash services.

The vehicle owners say there is no official parking lot on this road. They have no other option left with them but to get their cars washed at cheap rates and avail the chance of parking. One pays Rs20 to Rs100 only for the car wash and gets the parking space free.

When contacted, Saddar Town Nazim Muhammad Dilawar said action had been taken time and again against these people, but they seemed to be hand in glove with the police and managed to occupy the road again.

About the parking facilities in the area, he claimed he was determined to solve the problem permanently and was in consultation with the city nazim in this regard.