Encroachment drive to facilitate KCR reviewed

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The progress of ongoing operation against illegal encroachment for restoration of Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) track on Supreme Court's order was reviewed at a meeting chaired by Commissioner Karachi, Iftikhar Shalwani.

Appreciating the efforts of all concerned who chalked out a coordinated and comprehensive strategy to clear the track within 50/50 feet of KCR, the Commissioner called for continuation of anti encroachment drive till, he said the targets set were achieved. 

He referred to the steps taken so far including meetings with railway authorities on May 14, visit of KCR on May 18 for review of track situation besides a visit of Railway Minister and Chief Secretary Sindh jointly on May 20 in this regard in order to chalk out further strategy and implementation of SC directive. 

"We are continuing the work and clear the track with ongoing momentum for revival of KCR and thus playing our individual role comprehensively,” the Commissioner said, asserting that we would be able to give the gift of KCR to the Karachiites within the stipulated time frame. 

It was noted that the operation and its monitoring along with patrolling of areas cleared was continuing by the respective agencies who were submitting progress report thereof on regular basis.

The Commissioner said that that before submitting a comprehensive report to SC would be asked to have a trial run of the train on KCR system to oversee the future aspects and impact on ground realities. 

In this regard the Sindh government and respective departments would be approached to take up the matter with the federal government and the Ministry for trial run on 20-KM track on an experimental basis. 

The Commissioner directed all the Deputy Commissioners to initiate an operation beyond 50/50 110/120 feet to check future encroachments of any sort within their jurisdictions and secure the same permanently against human settlements and buildings. 

On the occasion, the Divisional Superintendent, Railway, Syed Mazhar Ali Shah, also briefed about the progress made for a secured track and operation carried by respective DCs with the support of Railway police, anti encroachment cell and said a daily progress report is sent to Commissioner accordingly. 

He assured that policy guidelines of ministry will be fully followed if the Sindh government did approach the federal government and the Ministry for trial train-run before June 9. 

DIG Operation, PR, Azhar Rasheed Khan informed that Railway Police, with the support of the Administration were working as per strategy devised for revival of KCR under SC directives and it will be ensured that encroachments does not resurface.  

Municipal Commissioner KMC, Dr Saif-ur-Rahman, while appreciating the efforts of all concerned said that as per SC direction all legalities and modalities involved were being fully ensured as per targets set. 

The Deputy Commissioners of Karachi East and Karachi West also briefed about daily progress of operation launched since May 15 and said that clearance of entire track from encroachments will be ensured as per law and rules including serving of legal notices to encroachers and unauthorized persons and human settlements. 

The Additional Deputy Commissioner Central informed that a 9-day operation was to be launched in the district as per strategy to bulldoze the human settlements without any resistance. 

Commissioner Iftikhar Shallwani pointed out that before submitting the comprehensive report to SC, on June 9, concrete steps were being taken to revive the KCR with collective and coordinated efforts by all concerned under a proper strategy and mechanism.