Commuters suffer for hours, remain confined to their vehicles. PHOTO: FILE
ABBOTABAD: Apart from exposing local motorists to irksome gridlocks, the never-ending traffic jams in Abbottabad are also discouraging tourists. Authorities have yet to ensure the smooth and uninterrupted flow of traffic on Karakoram Highway.
Nadeem Jadoon, a local businessman, told The Express Tribune he only managed to cover a distance of two kilometres from Salhad to Ayub Medical Complex in three hours. He said the route was normally covered in 10 to 20 minutes, but over the last few months, traffic has been disturbed to the extent that taking a patient to Ayub Medical Complex has become difficult.
“This is discouraging picnickers who prefer visiting Galiyat and Kaghan valley and use KKH – the only accessible route,” said Noman Ahmed, a tourist from Rawalpindi. “I plan to travel to Ayubia with my family, but traffic has made me cancel the trip.”
The problem remains unresolved despite the deployment of traffic wardens. Ishfaq Ahmed, a resident of Jinnah Abad, told The Express Tribune, “The people of Abbottabad were exposed to chaotic traffic, despite paying heavy taxes.” He blamed incompetent traffic police and the “insincere” political leadership for these problems.
“This city has elected the prime minister, chief minister, governors and ministers, but they all failed to address the issue,” he added. “Tall claims of a bypass have been made, but these are mere slogans.”
According to the Abbottabad traffic in-charge, Inspector Farooq Khan, “The lack of traffic sense among people and the heavy flow are the reason for these jams.”
He said the number of traffic wardens has been increased to 185, while regular police has also been asked to step in.
Foreign tourists no longer require NoC to visit Malakand Division
He added the administration expected 200,000 vehicles entering Abbottabad. The official said preparations were under way to tackle traffic issues and things would return to normal in a couple of days.
Government Girls High School Salhad, Sabzi Mandi and bus terminal are the main points for gridlocks on KKH, forcing commuters to wait for long hours in the summer heat.
Other points with dense traffic were Gami Adda, Fawara Chowk, Cantonment Bazaar Chowk, Murree Road Chowk, Mansehra Road, Mir Pur Road and Jhugiyan Road. The slow moving traffic forced commuters to suffer hours and confined them
to vehicles.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 10th, 2016.
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