CHAKWAL, Dec 12: Encroachers in Chakwal are ruling the roost as the authorities are indifferent to their ever increasing occupation of every available space in the city.

Roads and markets have been encroached by shopkeepers and other vendors, badly disturbing smooth flow of traffic and causing inconvenience for pedestrians.

Chapar Bazaar, the city's main market, has become a 'confused' place where vendors and shopkeepers have taken over the road as vehicles are parked haphazardly, leaving little space for pedestrians. “There is no place is for people on foot,” a woman told Dawn .

The shopkeepers and vendors justify their encroachments by saying that the Chapar Bazaar is the only place in the city where the business is good. They said if a proper place is provided to them, they would stop setting up their businesses on roadsides.

Talagang Road, Bhoun Road, Hospital Road, Aara Bazaar and Urdu Bazaar are also facing onslaught of encroachers.

Few months ago the district administration launched an anti-encroachment drive. The Chapar Bazaar along with other markets and roads were cleared of encroachers. But only weeks afterwards, encroachers were back. “This happened due to sheer incompetence and indifference of district administration,” Mohammad Ali, a shopper in Chapar Bazaar, said.

Mohammad Waseem, senior administrative officer, said the district administration would again launch anti-encroachment drive.