There have been many fatal accidents due to the lack of road signs and streetlights, while thick seasonal fog on the highway has made it even riskier to travel at night.
However, when the issue was first brought to the notice of Capital Development Authority (CDA) spokesperson Ramzan Sajid, he maintained that the animals were not a threat. “If we put up signs warning motorists about animals, it will give the impression that we are aware of the issue and not doing anything,” he had originally maintained.
Later it was raised before the upper echelon of the CDA and Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), including Chairman CDA Imtiaz Inayat Elahi and Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Amir Ali Ahmad.
While they did express their concern over the absence of sign boards on the busy highway, saying that it was a great threat not only to human life but for animals too and ensured that warning signs would be installed soon, to date nothing has been done.
Ahmad said he would ensure that signboards are installed before Eidul Azha but his promise remains unfulfilled.
Every day one witnesses road accidents on Murree Road because of the unrestricted movement of animals including cows, buffaloes, goats, ducks, chickens and even camels, on the Highway especially near Lake View Park. The majority of people involved in these accidents are residents of other cities, travelling on the highway either to Murree and neighboring hill stations, or Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
Many families have lost their loved ones due to this avoidable issue and government inaction will invariably add to the toll.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 22nd, 2010.
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