Road congestion: Encroachments to be removed to ensure smooth flow of traffic

SSP Traffic Dr Saeed said the city’s traffic worsened due to the construction of the Arbab Sikandar Khalil Flyover.

PESHAWAR:

With the city already trapped in the snare of traffic messes, the traffic police hinted at removing all illegal transport stands and encroachments on link roads.

Speaking at the Khyber Union of Journalists ‘Mulaqat’ programme at Peshawar Press Club, Senior Superintendent Police Traffic Dr Mian Ahmed Saeed acknowledged that the city’s traffic has taken a turn for the worst, due to the construction of the Arbab Sikandar Khalil Flyover.

“It has disrupted the smooth flow of traffic, increasing the load on other routes,” he said.

The official was of the view that the increased volume of traffic cannot be handled due to the presence of encroachments along main roads, adding that the traffic police have removed them from Jalil and Khushal Colony roads, while Ashraf Road will also be cleared soon.

Saeed said new bridges and roads are basic requirements to accommodate the flow of vehicles, especially because the existing infrastructure has been stretched beyond capacity and cannot handle more traffic, a problem compounded by the encroachments.

The SSP said that all the Qingqi rickshaws stands would be removed and that rickshaws and taxis without permits will be fined Rs5,000, while those registered in other districts will be forced to leave Peshawar.

He described Charsadda Road as “one of the busiest” in the city and said that it needs to be expanded to three or four lanes. He also said that the traffic police have launched their website, in addition to sharing information using social media like Facebook and Twitter, and traditional media such as signboards.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 29^th, 2011.