CDA continues drive against encroachments

[Salman]

Islamabad

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Friday continued operation against encroachments in different shopping centres and those raised on the CDA land.

During operations in G-8 Markaz and in front of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), the teams of enforcement wing demolished illegal kiosks.

It may be pointed out that the civic body had imposed ban allotment of kiosks in Islamabad since the year 2011 but this is also a fact that there is not proper check on growth of illegal kiosks and ‘chappar’ hotels which surface in place of demolished kiosks.

In one such example, at least two ‘chappar’ hotels have been established in front of Children Hospital, PIMS. This is the same site where the enforcement team had demolished kiosks.

There is also a feeling that the encroachments continue growing with connivance of some enforcement personnel who most of the time are members of the teams which conduct operations.

An official told ‘The News’ that CDA Chairman Maroof Afzal has directed the Deputy Director General Enforcement Asiya Gul to address the issue in an effective way.

But the licence holders feel that their infrastructure is also demolished by the enforcement teams during the operation.

In I-8 Markaz, special teams of Enforcement Directorate have removed encroachments from the area and confiscated two laden trucks. During this operation, shopkeepers showed resistance. However, the anti-encroachment teams completed their job.

Besides, Enforcement Directorate has also conducted operation against the encroachments at Khanna Pul, Islamabad Expressway and confiscated goods of one truck. Anti-encroachment team has demolished one Chappar Hotel in Street 65 of Sector I-10/1.