KARACHI:
The traffic situation across Karachi is worsening daily as the authorities have failed to pay heed to the matter. Across the city, major avenues are jam-packed with traffic for long hours. Motorcyclists, rickshaws, and bus drivers blatantly violate traffic rules and cause dangerous accidents. Resultantly, people are compelled to leave their homes hours before to reach their destinations on time.
Most people either travel through their cars or motorcycles because of the absence of public transportation or to avoid the high fees of substandard public transport. This coupled with deteriorating road infrastructure has resulted in chaotic scenes on the roads because the narrow roads are not equipped to facilitate a large number of vehicles. Instead of easing congestion, the creation of bridges and underpasses has further worsened traffic. Despite being prohibited to operate during the day, trucks and trollers operate during rush hours, which slows down the flow of traffic and causes blockades.
Also, street vendors, shops placing items on the roads, and wrong/double parking in commercial areas overcrowd the roads. This has often resulted in casualties, and it is usually the pedestrians or motorcyclists that suffer. Given that Karachi is the economic hub of the country, the relevant authorities should consider the matter in earnest and draw up a plan to address the traffic conditions of the city. Besides, improving public transport and infrastructure, traffic police must be instructed to perform their duties effectively and regulate traffic in busy areas.
Muhammad Hamza
Karachi
Published in The Express Tribune, April 9th, 2022.
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