Anti-encroachment drive underway in Mazar-i-Sharif

MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajhwok): The municipality has launched an anti-encroachment drive in Mazar-i-Sharif, the capital of northern Balkh province, while street vendors want an alternative place for their businesses.

Mazar-i-Sharif city mayor Mohammad Kazim Tariq told Pajhwok Afghan News the drive was aimed at reducing congestion and bringing order.

He said so far thousands of roadside stalls had been removed and all such stalls would be removed.

He said no one would be allowed to install booths and carts in front of shops or sell goods on roadsides or harm the beauty of the provincial capital

He said the campaign would continue until all stalls, carts and hawkers were collected from streets and shifted into another location.

Some residents of Mazar-i-Sharif praised the municipality’s move.

Resident Ajmal said all street shops and handcarts should be removed from the city to ensure smooth flow of traffic and pedestrians.

He said these booths and venders caused congestion and forced pedestrians to walk on roads.

Farid, another citizen, said the existence of stalls, booths and venders in front of shops had confronted the people with much inconvenience.

He said: “Most shopkeepers display groceries and other goods in front of their their shops, they allow hawkers, peddlers and venders as well to use the space, denying space to pedestrians.”

But vendors say these stalls are their only source of income and ask the municipality to find another location for their businesses.

Hashmatullah, who feeds his seven-member family, said his handcart was his only source of income so the government must find another solution.

Hashmatullah asked the municipality to provide alternative location for his business inside the city.

However, Mayor Mohammad Kazim Tariq assured the venders of looking for another place for them.

aw/ma