MARDAN: The encroachers have occupied the majority of bazaars, roads, and chowks of the city, allegedly in connivance with concerned officials, causing a traffic mess and inconvenience to motorists and pedestrians.
According to a survey conducted by this scribe, rampant encroachments across major bazaars and chowks in Mardan have severely disrupted daily movement in the city, with residents complaining that illegally erected stalls, shop extensions and temporary structures have overtaken footpaths and roadways.
According to residents, the encroachment mafia has effectively seized large portions of Bank Road, Shaheedano Bazaar, Judge Bazaar, Shamshi Road, Bus Adda Road, Charsadda Chowk, Chalmari Road, Dwasaro Chowk, Par Hoti Chowk and Gajju Khan Road.
The congestion has resulted in chronic traffic blockages and limited safe passage for pedestrians.At Chalmari Road near Charsadda Chowk, where most tractor workshops operate, mechanics routinely park tractors along the roadside, creating persistent hurdles for the residents and road users.
Many banks and private hospitals have also placed heavy generators on footpaths, further narrowing already constricted walkways. The residents complained that in several areas, footpaths were informally rented out by shopkeepers or property owners, enabling encroachers to establish fruit and vegetable stalls, particularly along Bus Adda Road, Pakistan Chowk, and Charsadda Chowk.
They added that these setups had made it nearly impossible for pedestrians to navigate through the busiest stretches. On the Shamshi Road near the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital, where numerous private clinics are located, evening traffic becomes gridlocked as visitors park their vehicles along the main road due to the absence of designated parking spaces.
A number of hotels are also located on Bank Road and the Judge Bazaar and customers used to park their vehicles in front of hotels on the road, which also creates problems for the passers-by.
It may be noted that the majority of shopkeepers on roads, chowks, and bazaars have encroached upon footpaths, causing hardships for both the pedestrians and motorists. Some shopping malls located on the Nowshera Road do not have parking spaces, due to which customers park their vehicles on the roadside, causing serious problems for people.
The citizens noted that the situation was especially difficult for women, older people and persons with disabilities, who struggle to move through the crowded market corridors.The local residents have appealed to the commissioner and deputy commissioner to launch an immediate and effective operation against encroachments so that the people could get relief.
