RAWALPINDI, Jan 1: Auto workshops illegally set up in residential areas of Rawalpindi cantonment are clanging away days and nights of the residents ruining their peace and calm besides encroaching upon footpaths and roadsides, becoming a constant nuisance.

Auto workshops have been established in Aahatta Mithoo Khan, Molvi Mohammad Hussain Road, Police Station Road, Chotta Bazaar, Hati Chowk, Kamran Market Road, Sadi Road, Gowalmandi Road, Baboo Mohallah and Railway Road. These auto workshops in residential areas not only violate rules of Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB), they have permanently encroached upon footpaths and roadsides due to indifference attitude of the civic body.

According to RCB sources, more than 2,000 auto workshops and welders are operating in these areas. They said the owners of these workshops were running businesses illegally as the RCB rules did not allow anyone to create noise and environmental pollution in residential areas.

Talking with Dawn, the residents of Aahatta Mithoo Khan lashed out at RCB for turning a blind eye to this problem. “RCB officials do not spare house owners if they do not deposit taxes and water charges, but they fail to see this growing noise pollution,” said Siraj Dar, a resident. Living in the area for the last 30 years, Mr Dar said auto workshops have mushroomed over the last four to five years.

Riaz Ahmed, another resident, said they had lodged several complaints with RCB but the civic body was in no mood to take action against illegal auto workshops. He said the noise caused by auto workshops had made their lives miserable, adding that they work late into night, not caring for anybody's rest. “The noise pollution is badly affecting students and patients,” he said and added vehicles were parked on both sides of the road creating traffic jams.

Mohammad Shakeel, a resident, said he and his neighbours could not park their cars on the road even late in the night.

Traffic wardens requesting anonymity said traffic jams were normal in the area around Railway Station and Aahatta Mithoo Khan as cars are repaired on footpaths and roadsides. “We are helpless. No doubt traffic will improve if these auto workshops are removed,” one of them said.

Admitting that the auto workshops in residential areas were illegal, RCB Cantonment Executive Officer (CEO) Rana Manzoor Ahmed promised “action from next week against workshops established in cantonment areas without approval.” He said the campaign would be launched against auto workshops and other encroachments. “The next week will be eventful as we will launch massive action against those who created trouble for residents.”