Road dualization project

The triple surface treatment (TST) of a small portion of the under-construction Baghdad Road came as a surprise to the local population which was expecting that it would be carpeted like the Circular Road.

The dualization of the over five-kilometre long Farid Gate-Baghdadul Jadid Road and its carpeting was a part of the Circular Road uplift package, which was executed during the previous government's era.

But, some MPs had this portion deleted from the original plan and instead got carpeted their own area of Model Town B section. In 2003, the district government started work at a cost of Rs43 million on the dualization of Baghdad Road. But the road is still under-construction, and its completion appears far off. However, the FWO some time ago began the TST of the road to relieve the citizens of traffic jams and dust pollution, but it was abruptly discontinued due to unknown reasons.

Insiders said as the road department of the district government had raised some objections, the work was suspended. This disappointed the citizens who were hoping for the construction of a carpeted road.

Dawn has learnt that district government's original plan did not envisage the provision of funds for the carpeting of the dualized road. Instead, the drawing and estimates included only TST which would be done after the completion of the current surface layer and stone-laying process.

Nowadays roads are generally carpeted, which is a durable and long-term method of road construction. It is feared if the dualization is completed under the TST mode of construction, both the roads will damage in a short time after completion.

It is not clear when this project will be completed as its stipulated period of about one year expired in November last. If the work is accelerated by the FWO, even then the dualization will not be completed before the next six to nine months or even more.

Hence, there is still time to review the whole project and allocate more funds and alter the TST into carpeting of the road. The district government tenure is due to expire next year.

There are a lot of funds, and the district government will face no financial stringency. In addition, construction work is in the initial stage. It is high time the district government reshapes its dualization plan with a view to providing the facility of a carpeted road, which will go a long way in the development of the city.

** * * **

The walled city has narrow bazaars which have been squeezed further due to illegal encroachments and unauthorized extension of shops with the blessings of TMA officials.

The plying of rickshaws in these narrow bazaars has created problems for the pedestrians. Smoke-emitting rickshaws have polluted the atmosphere causing infections among the residents.

Most people are of the opinion that the local administration should ban the entry of rickshaws to the bazaars to protect them from hazards of smoke emitted by rickshaws. It will also provide relief from traffic congestion.