Hyd traffic descends into chaos amid 'police extortion'

Traffic congestion in the second biggest urban centre of Sindh has reached alarming levels during the month of Ramazan, with Traffic Police personnel allegedly engaging in extortion and Eid-related collections, commonly referred to as "wasoli," instead of managing traffic flow.

While a number of traffic officers have been deployed on both the inner and outer routes of the city, many major commercial areas, highways, and busy intersections have been left unattended. Reports suggest that officers in these areas are neglecting their responsibility of ensuring smooth traffic flow. Even in areas where traffic jams are visibly worsening, cops seem indifferent, allowing disruptions to persist.

Despite the deployment of two constables at Tilak Chari, traffic from the wrong direction continues to create a daily gridlock. Similarly, Station Road and Fatima Jinnah Road, from Wukla Chowk to the District Council Building, face frequent traffic jams, yet no action is taken. There are also accidents and wrong-way driving at the U-turn near Barrage Colony on Rashid Minhas Road and in front of Quaid-e-Millat Park on Autobhan Road, largely due to the absence of Traffic Police personnel at these critical spots.

Rather than addressing these pressing issues, the focus of many cops seems to be the entry and exit routes of the city, where they are often seen deployed in larger numbers. This imbalance in deployment has raised questions about the true nature of their assignments, with some speculating that these officers' positions are influenced by favouritism and personal connections.

Adding to the concern, several drivers have reported receiving "secret code" cards from Traffic Police officers, allowing them to bypass traffic checks. These cards, which vary in appearance, are allegedly sold to pickup and truck drivers transporting goods such as vegetables and fruits.

The price of these cards ranges from Rs500 to Rs2,000, and once in possession of the card, drivers can avoid fines or stops anywhere in the city for the duration of the card's validity. This practice, according to drivers, has been ongoing for years and has become a well-established part of the Traffic Police system.

When approached, traffic officers denied any knowledge of this system, but frequent congestion and lack of response from the authorities suggest that this covert operation continues unchecked. Despite the obvious traffic problems affecting residents trying to reach home for Iftar during Ramazan, the city's Traffic Police seem unwilling or unable to address the issue effectively.