Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) jointly carried out a gigantic operation against illegal encroachments, constructions on the right of way of Grand Trunk Road and demolished several buildings, plazas, markets and illegal constructions from the vicinity and retrieved 250 kanals of state land from the illegal encroachments/occupants on Monday. The operation was participated in by CDA Enforcement Director Fahim Badshah, ICT Assistant Commissioner Saad Bin Asad and relevant officers and staff of ICT, National Highways Authority (NHA), officers of Planning Wing, Land & Rehabilitation Directorate as well as revenue staff of ICT. A heavy contingent of police was deployed in order to cater to any unpleasant situation. The Counter Terrorism Force and Anti-Riot Unit of ICT police with the backup of Rangers were also deployed during the operation. Furthermore, heavy machinery of MPO Directorate and other formations of CDA were also utilised during the operation in addition of two excavators provided by the NHA. During the first day of operation, illegal encroachments/constructions from 1.5 kilometres on the right of way of GT Road, from Tarnol phatak towards Peshawar, were completely demolished and state land was retrieved from its illegal encroachers/occupants. On the first day of the operation, 150 illegal shops, 20 rooms, 13 hotels, 30 sheds, five kiosks, 10 fruit stalls, one wood stall, eight meat shops, two service stations, three containers and 10 boundary walls out of which two were constructed on more than 10 kanals of state land. These were completely abolished. It is pertinent to mention that the operation was conducted after the demarcation carried out by the Revenue Staff of CDA, ICT and NHA. This operation will continue until today (Tuesday). Published in Daily Times, November 20th 2018.