Unauthorised rickshaw stands a nuisance for motorists in Multan

MULTAN:  

Unauthorised rickshaw stands have become a cause of traffic related issues in the city.

Rickshaws are seen parked haphazardly on every road in the city due to the negligence of the traffic police and the authorities concerned. Long queues of rickshaws can be spotted at Vehari Chowk, Chungi No 9, Kutchehry Chowk, Dera Adda Chowk, Chungi No 6, Syedanwala Bypass, metro bus stations and various other places across the city.

Traffic police officials deployed at roads appear helpless; they claimed that drivers do not pay attention to their warnings.

“Our primary duty is to ensure the smooth flow of traffic. We ask them not to park their vehicle on busy roads for an extended period of time but few listen,” maintained one traffic policeman.

“Their issues are somewhat genuine. They lack proper space for parking at bus stands,” he added.

On the other hand, vendors also clog up roads which becomes an issue for vehicular traffic.

Further, it is very difficult to cross roads near Chowk Kumharanwala Flyover and Bosan Road due to the fact that all service roads have been claimed by rickshaws which are parked improperly.

APP also observed that underage and untrained rickshaw drivers are also a challenge for traffic police.

Asif Shabbir, a citizen, stated that a rickshaw driver rammed into the back of his car. Instead of admitting his fault, he beat me up, he added.

He suggested that drivers be instructed to pick and drop their passengers at designated areas.