Karachi: Authorities say they have razed as many as 2,500 shops in Saddar area of the metropolis as part of the ongoing anti-encroachment operation, a news source reported. The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) dispatched a report to the commissioner that also contained photographic evidence of the 10-day operation.
The report states that 2,500 illegal constructions, six RCC basements and a two-storey building were demolished to restore the historic Empress Market. It added that 480 illegal shops on Sohrab Khattak Road, 150 encroachments on Sarmad Shaheed Road, 450 stalls on Shahrah-e-Iraq and 7,500 shades were demolished during the drive.
Operation was also carried out on Zaibunnisa Street, Magazine Line, Abdullah Haroon Road, Raja Ghazanfar Ali Road and Mir Karam Ali Talpur Road. Further operations are underway in six other zones of the city.
Moreover, authorities have decided to provide alternative shops to at least 150 displaced traders working in Empress Market whose illegal constructions were demolished during the anti-encroachment drive.
Mayor Wasim Akhtar chaired a meeting, which was also attended by City Commissioner Iftikhar Shalwami. The participants decided to provide alternative shops to the displaced traders in three phases.
The alternative shops would be allotted at the Parking Plaza in the first phase. Displaced traders will be provided shops in nearby markets of KMC in the second phase. Authorities would allot land to affected shopkeepers in the third phase.
Authorities also plan to build gardens around the Empress Market. An art gallery inside the British Era establishment is also reportedly in the works, which will add to its aesthetics.
