Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has launched an operation to remove encroachments from land designated for a public park near Khadda Market in Sector G-7, officials said on Sunday.
According to the civic agency, the land adjacent to the market is earmarked as a public park under Islamabad’s master plan but had been occupied for years by mechanics running auto workshops and residents of a nearby katchi abadi.
A recent survey conducted by the CDA found several illegal structures built on the park land. Officials said mechanics had constructed around 12 rooms that were being used for residential as well as commercial purposes, while parts of some houses from the adjoining informal settlement had also extended into the park area.
The encroachments had effectively rendered the park unusable, depriving local residents of a public recreational space.
Following complaints from residents, the authority issued notices to the occupants asking them to vacate the land within a specified time-frame.
After the deadline expired, the CDA initiated an anti-encroachment drive to reclaim the land. During the operation so far, nine illegal structures have been demolished, while efforts to remove the remaining encroachments are expected to continue in the coming days.
CDA officials said the purpose of the operation is to restore the park land and make it available for public use in accordance with the city’s master plan.
