Peshawar looks deserted as people head home for Eid

PESHAWAR:

Government employees, traders and students have started leaving for their native towns to spend Eidul Azha with their loved ones, resulting in huge crowds at bus stands and railways stations.

It is almost an annual routine that, before Eid, people belonging to far-flung towns and districts leave for their home towns, leaving Peshawar deserted and empty for weeks.

Transporters are once again taking full advantage of the situation and have increased fares without inviting any attention from the quarters concerned.

Each year, hundreds of theft and burglary cases are reported during the Eid holidays as Peshawar residents leave the city for weeks and, on their return, find valuables stolen from their homes.

When approached, the district administration said that action had been initiated against transporters charging higher fares. However, passengers continue to complain of overcharging.

A large number of passengers could be seen waiting for vehicles at bus stands as their numbers far exceed the spaces available on buses.

The district administration has been directed to cancel the route permits of transporters charging excessive fares.

The government has also issued instructions to improve the cleanliness situation during the Eid holidays.

Deputy Commissioners of all districts have been instructed to set up special control rooms at their offices to eliminate illegal cattle markets and maintain the flow of traffic near them.

Orders have also been issued for the presence of traffic police and police mobiles for the protection of animal traders.

In order to control vegetable prices on the occasion of Eidul Azha, Assistant Commissioners have been ordered to be present at markets early in the morning and have rates of vegetables fixed under their personal supervision.

It has also been decided that action would be taken against hoarders of onions and tomatoes.

 

Teams of officials will be present at bus terminals and the city’s entry and exit points from tomorrow to prevent overcharging of passengers.

 

Route permits of overcharging transporters will be cancelled and drivers of such buses will be arrested on the spot and put behind bars.

It has also been instructed that a massive public awareness campaign be launched to ensure that garbage is deposited only at designated points instead of being dumped on streets.

 

The government has also deployed police and rescue personnel at tourist spots and banned overloading of boats.

 

Special teams have also been formed to ensure the safety of rides and boats at amusement parks in order to avoid tragic boat accidents on nullahs, lakes and rivers during the Eid holidays.