KARACHI, April 19: The Saddar Town administration on Saturday afternoon launched its anti-encroachment campaign in the Lea Market area.

The cleanup operation began at the Madina Market bus stop and continued till evening. Scores of illegal roadside structures creating road obstructions were removed from the market roundabout choked with all sorts of encroachment.

For years, a vast area of the footpaths of the market roundabout had been occupied by vendors, pushcart owners and hawkers, hardly leaving any space for pedestrians.

Though it is an intermediate bus stop, it was used by transporters as a permanent terminal. They parked their buses, coaches and wagons for long hours, creating frequent traffic problems.

According to Zubair Mughal, town official supervising the campaign, in the first phase of the operation all roadside structures will be removed to make the traffic flow smoother. In the second phase, efforts will be made to removal all illegal structures.

One of the biggest problem in the Lea Market area is the mushroom growth of illegal bus terminuses set up by transporters. A number of local inter-city and inter-province buses and mini- buses either terminate or start their journey there.

As the number of buses is increasing, the space for parking is becoming more and more insufficient.

All the open spaces previously used for parking purposes now have buildings on them, leaving bus operators with no choice for parking but the roadside.

Residents have been pressing the authorities for removal of all illegal bus stops and shifting of transport business which they say is the major cause of traffic congestion and environment gradation. They say that the situation cannot be improved unless the transport business is shifted from the locality.

They have urged high officials of both Saddar and Lyari towns to take a joint action in the collaboration with the city government for the shifting of the transport business from the locality.

CLARIFICATION: Saddar Town has denied the news item that the town administration has given permission to establish cabins in any part of the town, adds PPI