On the road: Commuters want large metal reflectors removed

Road studs were installed as an alternative to speed breakers at a cost of over Rs1 billion

RAHIM YAR KHAN: The highway department has installed large metal reflectors (cat’s eyes) at multiple locations in the 150 kilometre area of the Shahi Road passing through the four tehsils of Rahim Yar Khan District perturbing the motorcycle, and car drivers.

Officials told Express News that Shahi Road originating from Chini Goth and entering Rahim Yar Khan District stretches 150 kilometre to Liaquatpur, Khanpur, Rahim Yar Khan and Chowk Bahadur. Large metal reflectors given the label of speed breakers have been put at various locations on the road.

The department and administration call it a useful tool against preventing road accidents. But these studs have not been only installed on the turns but have also been setup on straight stretch of the roads.

Officials revealed that these metal reflectors have been put as an alternate to speed breakers at a cost of over Rs1 billion. The administration has decided to use these studs to reduce the speed of the coaches and buses at dangerous turns of Sehja and Dhareeja Nagar but they failed to deliver the desired output.  In fact, big public transport vehicles cross these areas with high speed.

Meanwhile, the installation of these superfluous studs at various locations has increased incidents of tire burst and suspension failure of small cars. These studs have been installed on unneeded locations of the road.

As per highway department laws, such types of large metal reflectors cannot be used as speed breakers on such roads.

Meanwhile, people have demanded of the district administration to remove road studs from unnecessary spots and take strict action against speedy public transport vehicles.

Commuters, however, have demanded to create more public awareness and create road sense to control unruly traffic rather than resorting to the use of such instruments on the road which can cause damage to their property.

When contacted, Highway Department Works and Repair Official Hasnain Zaidi told Express News that the management decided that speed breakers would be installed on dangerous turns on Sehja Mor, Dhareeja Phatak Mor and Ghora Mor near Feroza to control speedy coaches and buses in a bid to reduce road crashes.

He added, “Grievance of the citizens will be resolved and soon these studs will be removed from unneeded locations on roads.”

He maintained, “Instead a board cautioning of a dangerous turn will be put to alert commuters.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 22^nd, 2018.