Even flow: Actor creates 3D plan to improve city’s traffic

SSP Traffic Sadiq Baloch says design could be cheapest solution if implemented

PESHAWAR:

“I was driving as fast as I could and kept on turning to check on my mother who was critically ill,” Umar Gul said. Had the traffic police not cleared GT Road, his mother would have not been alive today, added Gul.

This is how the television actor prepared to explain his 3D plan to ease the flow of traffic in the provincial capital.

Talking to The Express Tribune he said, “It was noon and it seemed as if all the traffic of the city was diverted towards GT Road – I cannot explain the situation since my mother was conscious but so ill; the road was completely blocked.”

Gul said even though the current government was keen on reducing traffic woes and was making efforts to achieve this, maintaining a flow almost impossible at rush hours. “Particularly at noon – moving a mile in 10 minutes becomes impossible.”

Drafting the idea

Gul said he started working on the 3D traffic map three years ago when Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf had formed the provincial government. It took the actor almost three years to complete the project as he had been extremely busy recording television series.



“I asked a friend who is an expert in 3D maps to assist me,” Gul told The Express Tribune. “We agreed upon the final price at Rs150 per second which means the total video cost me Rs0.3 million.”

While he funded the project, Gul said he would be grateful if the expenses were reimbursed. However, he said, “If they [the government] do not pay me the cost, I will not demand it.”  According to the 3D plan shared with The Express Tribune, the government needs to construct at least five underpasses to ensure not a single vehicle is stuck at any point. Vehicles turning right or left will go through the underpass and the rest, above the underpass, will not need to stop at all.

Beacon of hope

SSP Traffic Sadiq Baloch, who also watched the video, appreciated Gul for his work and said it could prove to be the cheapest plan for maintaining traffic flow in the capital. “This is something really impressive and if implemented, it will help keep traffic flowing round the clock,” Baloch told The Express Tribune. He also promised to speak directly with the chief minister about taking up Gul’s plan.

The need

Gul stated he was not the only one being affected by traffic in the provincial capital. Hundreds of people travelling from far-flung districts, particularly for medical assistance in Peshawar, will benefit from the plan.

He said he shared the plan with a few members of the provincial legislature from ruling PTI but they did not seem interested.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 2^nd, 2016.