Illegal ramps spark road safety concerns

Urban planners criticise FDA's partial action

JARANWALA:

Out of 27 illegal ramps identified by a previously constituted technical committee under the Faisalabad Development Authority (FDA), a new committee featuring three ruling political figures has recommended the closure of only three ramps.

This decision has drawn criticism from civil society activists, private engineers, and city planners, who cite faulty road design as the root cause of frequent traffic accidents.

Rescue 1122 reported 129 road traffic crashes on the Canal Road in October 2024 alone, resulting in three fatalities and several injuries.

Architect Haris Karim raised concerns about dangerous areas near Faisal Hospital, noting a fatal accident 18 months ago.

He urged the district administration to close unauthorised junctions and entry points as per the original road design.

Waleed Khalid, Deputy Director Engineering at FDA, revealed that last month, a technical probe committee—including representatives from Rescue 1122, the Chief Traffic Officer, and the FDA engineering department—had identified 37 ramps (21 on the eastern side and 16 on the western side) along with 12 bridges obstructing smooth traffic flow.

The committee recommended closing four bridges—Rafhan Mills, Telenor Pully, Gutt Wali Pully, and Pipan Wala Pully—within a 10 km radius from Abdullahpur Pully to Gutt Wala Pully.

However, in a meeting three days ago, chaired by FDA DG and attended by PML-N members Mian Arfan Manan, Faqir Hussain Dogar, and Rana Ali Abbas, the closure was limited to three bridges: Telenor Pully, 204 RB Bridge, and Treat Bakery Bridge. Rafhan Mills Bridge was allowed to remain open for uninterrupted traffic flow.

The revised decision has prompted criticism for ignoring the recommendations of the earlier technical committee.

Activists argue that the new committee prioritises political interests over public safety.

No action was recommended against housing colony developers who constructed illegal ramps connecting private colonies to the canal road without municipal approval.

The new committee suggested permanently closing ramps in front of the FESCO office and constructing four new ramps in compliance with city planning regulations.

Faisalabad Development Authority Chief Engineer Mehar Ayub Gujjar confirmed that a new committee has been formed by the Deputy Commissioner, including FDA officials and assembly members, to address reservations raised by political figures.

However, public safety advocates stressed the urgent need to prioritise public well-being over political interests, citing the alarming rise in accidents and the pressing need for compliance with original city planning guidelines.