KARACHI, April 1: Sindh chief secretary K.B. Rind has asked the transport secretary and the DIG of Traffic to restore the bus routes 17-C and 17-D so as to overcome the transport problems being faced by thousands of people of Landhi-Korangi and adjoining areas.

He issued these directives while disposing of various applications of people who met him on Tuesday.

A petition regarding bus route was submitted by a student delegation who complained that this route, which remained functional between 1960 and 1999, had been monopolised by mini-buses.

They informed that then Awami Bus service also remained operative during 2000-2002, but now the influential transporters of mini-bus route C-2 have monopolized the route.

The chief secretary called for a report from the concerned department and assured the delegates that their problems would be resolved.

Another delegation of inhabitants of Gulshan-i-Iqbal Block-9, complained regarding encroachments in their area.

They informed the chief secretary that a large number of huts and cattle-pens have emerged in the area and they had been playing a havoc with the environment, besides promoting drug trafficking.

They informed that the encroachers have also damaged the main pipeline of water supply.

The chief secretary, expressing displeasure over the situation, referred the matter to the local government department and the city district government for taking necessary measures.—APP