Transport in abysmal state in Bahawalpur

Several stops from Bahawalpur to Rahim Yar Khan are infamous for being unsafe for motorists

BAHAWALPUR:  

The negligence of the National Highways Authority (NHA) and the motorways department has made travelling a nightmare in the city; several stops from Bahawalpur to Rahim Yar Khan are infamous for being treacherous and unsafe. Meanwhile, encroachments have begun to bleed onto the highways.

Hazardous roads and insufficient transport facilities have claimed hundreds of lives in numerous road traffic accidents due to the fact that the state of transport projects in the city is truly abysmal.

Notorious for the amount of accidents that have occurred, the route from Bahawalpur to Rahim Yar Khan is particularly concerning. Musafir Khan Noorpur, Ahmedpur Bypass, Chani Goth Roundabout, Taranda Muhammad Panah, Jenpur Khan Bela, Zahir Pir and Sadiqabad Bypass are some of the places which have gained traction for being particularly deadly for motorists.

Further, all buildings are meant to be at a minimum distance of 100 metres from the highways. However, individuals have allegedly made dubious deals with department officials in order to construct shops, colleges, schools and banks which have hindered traffic. No grand operation has been conducted against the encroachment mafia which has only encouraged them to construct more buildings.

Baqaul Mohsin, a resident, says that an operation should be conducted against those encroaching on roads. All the encroachments on the highways should be removed immediately to make travelling safe again, he says.

Transport facilities in the city are also severely lacking. Iron furniture and fixings at bus stops have been stolen while there are no arrangements for clean drinking water or a shaded sitting area for commuters.

In addition to this, petrol pump owners have created dangerous U-turns on highways, by ‘cutting’ through dividers, which has caused many traffic accidents. Also several traffic signs have been stolen and for several years the main highways project has remained incomplete.

Former vice president of the Bahawalpur Chamber of Commerce Adeel Bhatti articulates that a ban should be imposed on constructing buildings on busy roads and all unnecessary U-turns should be removed.

On the other hand, motorways officials are only present physically on the roads. They remain under the awnings of their kiosks ignoring speeding vehicles and broken tail lights. It was only recently that a campaign for the installation of reflectors was initiated.

Nazar Abbas Ghallu, another resident, expresses that millions of rupees are collected from citizens in the name of taxes. “However, nothing is spent on maintaining and constructing transport facilities; this is akin to robbery,” he maintains.

An NHA official, speaking to The Express Tribune on the condition of anonymity, claims that an operation against encroachments is in progress. They will soon be removed while the authority has also launched a campaign to remove unnecessary U-turns, he maintains.