On the third day of anti-encroachment drive action was taken against the encroachers in the busy shopping area of Gulbahar (Golimar) and Rizvia Society and footpaths were dug out, electricity poles were removed and extended portions of hundreds of shops were demolished.
The action against the shopkeepers, which began on Thursday, continued on Friday under the supervision of City District Government Karachi (CDGK) and the Town Nazim of the area.
The official and representatives of the two civic bodies said that there was no resistance from the people of the area as they had been served with notices in advance.
Some of the shopkeepers said that the anti-encroachment staff had soft attitude towards politically inclined people and those who were regular contributors to the party funds.
The encroachment is being removed to widen the road where traffic remains choked and public transport play havoc with the lives of the people of the area and pedestrians.
The officials said that after shortening the width of footpaths, there would be less room for the pedestrians. No encroachment of footpaths would be tolerated at any cost, they said.
Meanwhile, people from Preedy Street and its adjoining areas have held the CDGK and the town office staff responsible in delaying removal of encroachment in narrow lanes and on footpaths.
The Preedy Street is worst affected by the encroachers. Even the narrow lanes are blocked and traffic movement remains slow.
They demanded of the CDGK and the Sadder Town Office to remove encroachment before permanently constructed shops and garages occupied the entire area at the cost of the people living on Pride Street and near its vicinity.