State of disrepair: Citizens demand better bus stops, road crossings

ISLAMABAD:

Residents of the capital have demanded the civic agency to construct adequate bus shelters and road crossing facilities along major arteries of the city, particularly the Islamabad Highway.

Hundreds of commuters use local transport for travelling to the city, but have to wait on the roadside and face harsh weather conditions and other dangers.

Commuters are of the view that the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has yet to install over-head bridges at main crossing points, particularly the Zero Point Interchange.

Residents also complained of a lack of shelter at bus stops including GPO, Civic Centre, Lal Masjid, Number Three (Itwar Bazar), PIA Eastern Side, CDA, Fire Brigade, Urdu University and Zero Point.

Mumtaz Ali, a commuter waiting at Zero Point’s bus stop, said he waits on the footpath or on the side of the road due to an absence of proper shelter, which is difficult especially in extreme weather.

Mohsin Ali, a senior citizen, pointed out that pedestrian bridges erected over different roads are of no use to the elderly and disabilities.

Bakhat Rawaan, a 62-year-old resident of Sector-G-6/2, said zebra crossings at busy roads are useless as most drivers have no awareness of what the crossing means, and do not bother to stop.

A CDA official has said that the authority is planning to construct overhead bridges, bus stops and other facilities which were either removed or damaged during the current construction work on roads and highways in the capital.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 21^st,  2015.