Encroachments on the rise in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: The encroachment activities are going unchecked in federal capital, despite tall claims of civic body to take action against encroachments on footpaths.

It is not only causing inconvenience to the pedestrians, but also poses threat as some shops selling glass items dump glass pieces and other waste on the footpath, said a visitor at Aabpara market.

Different areas including Aabpara, Peshawar More, Karachi Company and other places have not still been cleared from the encroachment by the vendors and shopkeepers.

Muhammad Ramazan, a resident of G-6, said that footpaths in the busy markets are being misused by the area shopkeepers.

The residents also complained of growing encroachments in the market causing inconvenience for the pedestrian and motorists. They appealed to the concerned authorities to remove these encroachments to provide a smooth way for pedestrians and other people, visiting the market.

An official of the CDA when contacted said that the concerned authorities have strictly warned the vendors and others to avoid encroachment, adding that CDA also confiscated several goods items from the footpaths.

He said that CDA was committed to discourage and stop the activities of the vendors and shopkeepers on the footpaths.

The people of federal capital have welcomed the steps initiated by the concerned authorities against encroachments on footpaths and public places, but expressed disappointment over its slow pace of action.