RAWALPINDI: The district administration will start a massive campaign against encroachments in the garrison city next week and clear the main roads from permanent structures constructed on the right of way of the main arteries.

Deputy Commissioner Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema told Dawn that a survey of the garrison city was conducted and illegal construction was found along the main roads.

He said that the land revenue department has started the work for the demarcation of land in different parts of the city as per the land revenue record. “We will not tolerate any encroachment as it congests the roads and vanishes footpaths,” he said.

He said that the administration has identified areas in the garrison city to be cleared of encroachments, adding that the drive would be launched in two phases. He said that work on Adiala Road and Chakri Road will start in the first phase and in other areas in the second phase.

“The anti-encroachment drive will be completed before the monsoon. Following the clearance of encroachments, green belts will be established along the roads, and the Parks and Horticulture Authority will devise plans to enhance the greenery of the garrison city during the monsoon plantation drive,” he stated.

He said that shopkeepers had agreed to help the administration, and the administration would raze all illegal structures. “We have started announcements in the Adiala Road area, urging people to voluntarily remove encroachments, otherwise, the administration will take strict action against illegal encroachments,” he said.

He said the basic aim of the civic bodies was to provide civic facilities to the people, and in this regard, the administration would not tolerate any negligence. He said that visitors to the main commercial hubs should be provided with a neat and clean environment, and in this regard, the district administration is working to provide maximum facilities.

He said that the district administration had decided to make Raja Bazaar free of encroachments, and after this, other roads in Raja Bazaar—the main commercial hub of the garrison city—will be cleared.

He said that he had been receiving many complaints from the local residents in his office.

The residents have complained that the encroachments make their lives difficult.

They said that shopkeepers have expanded their shops on the verandas of City Saddar Road and Raja Bazaar, leaving no space for the parking of two- and four-wheelers.

Deputy Commissioner Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema said that the district administration is working to improve the condition of the main roads and footpaths in the downtown area, which will be cleared of all kinds of permanent and temporary encroachments soon.

Published in Dawn, May 11th, 2024