Anti-encroachment teams of Pakistan Railways demolished two multi-story buildings which were 'illegally' built on the land of Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) near Gilani Railway Station in Gulshan-e-Iqbal during last two days, amid resistance from the occupants, the officials said.
The fresh drive has been initiated in compliance with the Supreme Court directives to revive KCR - the much delayed public sector commuter project to ease the sufferings of Karachiites.
Earlier, insiders in PR told Business Recorder that Railways was reluctant to initiate operation against the 'potential encroachers' along the 5km remaining track of KCR, single handedly, due to capacity issues including lack of machinery and human resources.
Federal Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad had said PR can't resume operation without active support from the Sindh Government and security agencies.
However, on February 7, the SC had directed the Sindh Government and the PR to remove all encroachment including all multi-story buildings built along the route of KCR and also ordered to revive the local train service to ease the travel woes of Karachiites.
PR minister on Wednesday informed the media that PR has full support from the provincial government, while the court has also asked the paramilitary rangers to assist PR in this operation.
He hoped personnel of rangers along with the police would assist PR teams in the anti-encroachment operation to ensure law and order.
The authorities, on the first day of operation, faced resistance from occupants as they begun demolishing an under-construction multi-story building and other structures on Tuesday. The protesters were of the view that they have invested all their lifelong earnings in the residential project.
Deputy Director PR Tariq Asad said the first leg of anti-encroachment operation was action at Gillani station. PR has conducted a swift operation, as per the directives of Apex court, to evacuate the encroached KCR area at Gillani station.
In the second leg of the operation that is going to last about 5 days, the encroached area on both sides of the track from City Station to Drigh Road station would be evacuated. The illegal occupants have been prior apprised of anti-encroachment drive starting from 13 February, he said.
Divisional Superintendent Office Karachi has served notice asking all the illegal occupants on Up and Down track of KCR to vacate the occupied place as actions will be started from 13 February onwards from City Station to Drigh Road as per the directives of the apex court.
"The 'illegal' occupants are also advised not to resist the anti-encroachment drive on the KCR track performed by Pakistan Railways." reads the notice.
MQM and PSP have also expressed their concerns over the removal of homes along KCR track without providing alternate locations to the affectees.
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