KARACHI, Dec 9: Parking of vehicles at the roadsides in the city, under the charged-parking system, is causing inconvenience to motorists and pedestrians as it is resulting in prolonged traffic jams, especially on service roads.

Roadside parking was banned on busy roads in commercial areas, but the defunct Karachi Metropolitan Corporation allowed charged parking on all roads, streets and even narrow lanes where vehicles can be parked, as it, according to sources, thought it a good substitute for the loss of income on account of the abolition of octroi tax.

They even ignored the basic idea behind the scheme, which was to ease traffic congestion on busy roads.

The Karachi Building Control Authority is much to blame for the parking problem and the resultant traffic jams on roads because of its failure to implement the rules and regulations while approving building plans.

Most of the buildings in the city lack basic facilities such as provision of public toilets on each floor (wherever necessary), adequate parking space in proportion to the size of the project, availability of open space, proper telephone and electricity wiring, etc.—APP