KARACHI:
The poor and underprivileged spend most of their lives traveling in search of a better livelihood. Unfortunately, the absence of public transportation makes their journey more burdensome. In countries with large populations, proper public transport is provided. For instance, India has built an affordable and comfortable underground railway line in Delhi with the help of Japan. In the absence of public transport such as trains and buses, the growing population is forced to resort to motorbikes to reach their destinations because it is the only affordable option.
As of 2018, as many as 23,588,268 motorcycles were in use in Pakistan. An estimated 7,500 more motorcycles hit the road each day. Poor infrastructure coupled with chaotic traffic has contributed to the deteriorating traffic conditions in all major cities of the country. Due to the absence of separate lanes for motorbikes and disorderly traffic, many motorcyclists get into fatal accidents every day. There is a need to overhaul the infrastructure of all cities and designate separate lanes for different types of vehicles.
More importantly, both federal and provincial governments should work cooperatively to re-introduce improved public transportation to reduce people’s hurdles. There is a large proportion of the population that does not use motorcycles and have to either walk long distances or use the measly forms of public transport available, which are equally life-threatening given the deplorable traffic conditions. There is an urgent need for an effective and efficient public transport system.
Saddam, Babar Solangi
Radhan
Published in The Express Tribune, November 20th, 2021.
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