KARACHI: The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) is all set to launch an anti-encroachment operation to clear illegal structures on the banks of the Gujjar Nullah stormwater drain.
The police, Rangers, Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) and revenue board members are expected to be present at the location. A strategy has been devised to raze all the structures built along the Gujjar Nullah during the grand operation.
Earlier Karachi Central’s deputy commissioner wrote letters to the anti-encroachment cell, police, rangers, officials of SSGC and K-Electric in this regard. He also sought heavy machinery and security for the grand operation.
Anti-Encroachment Senior Director Bashir Siddiqui has said that around 4,000 houses have been marked by the district administration for demolition.
He said soft encroachments will be removed during the first phase starting on Monday just like in the case of the Mehmoodabad Nullah anti-encroachment operation. Soft encroachments like animal dens, small hotels, kiosks, iron grills, gates and balconies will be removed which will help pave the way for the KMC’s heavy machinery to enter the area, he added.
He said that according to the plan, the Gujjar Nullah will be widened to at least 60 feet, while at some points to 70 to 80 feet. Around 30-feet-wide road will also be constructed on both sides of the stormwater drain, he added.
He said that residents deprived of their homes will be provided with house rent for two years as compensation. In this regard, he said a survey has already been completed by the District Central deputy commissioner’s office and a list of affected families has been compiled.
The Gujjar Nullah is a natural drain flowing from New Karachi to Haji Mureed Goth where it falls into the Lyari River. The drain crosses Rashid Minhas Road at Shafiq Morr and heads towards the Cafe Piyala Hotel then all the way to the Ziauddin Hospital before falling into the Lyari River.
