KARACHI, Oct 21: Encroachments in and around Lea Market have re-emerged and the encroachers are doing roaring business as usual, a survey shows.

Last year a vigorous anti-encroachment drive was launched by the anti-encroachment cell of the defunct KMC and the district administration to remove pushcarts, hawkers and squatter vendors, to give the market a fresh look and make traffic flow smoother.

A visit to the market area shows that a large number of these pushcarts and hawkers have reappeared and established roadside business again, creating obstruction to the smooth flow of traffic.

The encroachers have also occupied the footpaths on the market roads hardly leaving any place for pedestrians to walk.

Residents say the encroachment, a thriving business which runs into million of rupees, cannot flourish without the connivance of the area police.

According to them, after a few months of every operation the encroachers stage a comeback and engage in their usual business.

An NGO activist claims that every inch of the land in and around the market has been “allotted” to pushcart owners, hawkers and transporters who bribe the police to carry out their specific businesses.

A survey conducted by an NGO shows there are 3,000 encroachments in and around the market. These include pushcarts, vendors, stalls cabins and workshops.