Long neglected: Messy traffic, a bane for Pindites

Congestion, water drainage issues plaguing residents.

RAWALPINDI:

Over the years, the unplanned and mushrooming construction in Rawalpindi has compounded the traffic problems in the city. As a result, commuting within the city has become an ordeal for the residents but no serious attempts have been made by the relevant authorities to address the traffic issues of the congested city. The commuters complain of encroachments on roads by vendors, narrowing the roads and creating hurdles in the smooth flow of traffic.

“The construction of a flyover at Chandni Chowk is useless, without addressing encroachment and other traffic hindrances,” said Imran Shafique, a resident while talking to The Express Tribune on Sunday.

Others complained that Benazir Bhutto Road, from Mureer Chowk to Committee Chowk and from Waris Khan to Shamsabad, remains clogged for most part of the day. They said that due to a large number of obstructions, speed breakers and lack of road sense among transporters, it has become almost impossible to drive on the road.

Access to the city markets has become an issue for residents, especially women, children and the elderly, as roads leading towards these markets remain choked throughout the day. Anees Abbasi, an advocate said he avoids going to these markets because of the traffic nuisance there. The public representatives have failed to play their roles in this regard, he said.

Many residents blame the city government for its lack of interest in development projects and for stalling approved projects like the construction of Nullah Leh Expressway, which involves construction of roads on both banks of the stream.

Every year during monsoon, the stream swells and water overflows its banks flooding roads and properties in the area. Despite numerous surveys and reports, authorities have not devised a proper strategy to deal with the problem.

“I’ve lived in Rawalpindi since the independence, but each time I go to the cantonment I unavoidably set my eyes on the ugliest part of the city, Leh Nullah,” said Mubarik Ali, “but no serious attempt has been made to address this problem”.

The stream begins as rainwater and winds its way through the suburbs of Islamabad to Rawalpindi, collecting garbage thrown by the residents along the way. Ali said the city government seems least concerned about the unhygienic conditions in which the people are living here.

District Coordination Officer Rawalpindi Saqib Zafar said that Leh Expressway is linked with political connotation, “but certainly, we are responsible and will address traffic woes”. The under-construction flyover at Chandni Chowk is the best example of the steps we are taking, he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 6^th, 2011.