KARACHI, Nov 6: The provincial local government minister, Dewan Muhammad Yousuf Farooqui, on Tuesday, visited Chand Bibi Road and other Old City areas to inspect the on-going anti- encroachment operation launched by the Saddar Town administration.

The minister was told that during the first day of operation, 70 illegal truck stands were demolished and heavy vehicles were shifted to the Hawkesbay truck stand. Besides, 13 trucks were impounded and their owners would be fined under the law.

It was informed that entry of heavy traffic has already been banned in this area and steel girders have been erected, while the Saddar Town administration has set up a camp at Chand Bibi Road.

During the visit, the minister personally supervized the removal of encroachments.

Earlier, he held a meeting with Saddar Town Nazim, Farooq Faria, councillors and officials, where he was told that committees would be set up to monitor the on-going operation, which would continue for two weeks, after which it would be ensured that such encroachments do not resurface.

The minister suggested the formulation of a five-year master plan for the development of Saddar Town, involving all the Union Councils falling in its jurisdiction.

He called for beautification steps of Bohri Bazar and other commercial centres of Saddar, and suggested construction of fountains, preservation and uplift of old historical buildings and provision of street lights at Zaibunnisa Street.

To a suggestion by the minister, the Town Nazim said there is a plan to organize 20 to 25 fair-price bazaars to facilitate consumers. He said that price- control committees would remain operative during Ramazan.—APP