10 November 2004	Wednesday	26 Ramazan 1425

MINGORA, Nov 9: The traffic problem in Mingora has taken a serious turn, as long queues are observed everyday on almost all main roads. In Ramazan the situation has further worsened. The traffic on the main road, general bus stand road, airport road, green chowk and new road is always found jammed and the traffic police seem to be helpless.

The loaded trucks, rickshaws and handcarts are further adding to problems. These days the movement has become very difficult and even pedestrians are facing many problems. Shopkeepers have encroached on footpaths and places outside their shops, narrowing down passages between shops for shoppers.

The rickshaw drivers have established their own stands, and there is no check on them. The ever-increasing number of handcarts is the main hurdle in the smooth flow of traffic. Especially the handcart pushers nowadays use the only one way (main bazar) road illegally.

The road in front of the general bus stand is used by most of vehicles entering the city and that is why the road remains blocked for most of the time.

Though, vehicles plying to the upper Swat and Shangla use alternative bypass road of Takht Band, it is no solution to the problem.