KARACHI, April 13: Movement of pedestrians and vehicles has become difficult in market areas of Saddar town as vendors, push-cart holders and double car parking leave very little space for shoppers and traffic.

From Jama Cloth Market up to Merewether Tower vendors, selling a variety of items, have encroached upon pavements on both sides of M. A. Jinnah Road.

Double parking of cars is adding to the difficulties of people, especially women, schoolchildren and aged people.

At Boulton market, Jodia Bazaar, Khajoor Bazaar and Lea Market the traffic problem has become acute because of roadside vending business and encroachments on pavements.

Recently, the town administration launched a drive against illegal structures in market areas and busy streets to widen the roads to facilitate pedestrians and shoppers.

At a number of places, the campaign was successful as roads were cleared. But this did not last long as encroachers returned soon and resumed their business .

The town administration described uncooperative attitude of the police as the main reason for the return of encroachers.

It is often seen that shopkeepers in the surrounding narrow lanes of market areas permanently park their vehicles in the middle of the road, causing problems for pedestrians as well as for those travelling in cars.

All types of vehicles are allowed to run in these narrow lanes as most of the traders have their godowns in these areas.

A resident suggested that a complete ban be imposed on the movement of heavy vehicles in these narrow lanes to provide the much-needed space to shoppers and pedestrians.

He deplored that officials who were supposed to take cognizance of the situation were turning a blind eye to encroachments.

He claimed that government officials took bribes from vendors. In this way they created problems for the people.

Double car parking has also aggravated the problem. The traffic police appears to be standing passively as they did nothing to facilitate people.

Motorists do not care about rules and regulations. The traffic police are often seen harassing taxi and rickshaw drivers to extract money on the pretext of checking documents. They never bother about the double parking of vehicles on busy roads and streets.

A resident remarked that it was a multi-million-rupee business that could not thrive without the connivance of the police and municipal officials.

“It is for this reason anti-encroachment drives have never proved successful as encroachers are soon back to their business after a few days,” he said.