KARACHI: Encroachments on footpaths causing accidents
By Azizullah Sharif
KARACHI, May 15: The menace of roadside encroachments, illegal occupation of footpaths and violation of pedestrians’ rights by vehicle owners is assuming an alarming proportion. Due to non-availability of footpaths, accidents involving pedestrians have increased tremendously.
A number of footpaths have already vanished while others have been encroached upon heavily and might disappear in near future, leaving no choice for pedestrians.
The major roads where footpaths have disappeared include Mohammad Bin Qasim Road (from Fresco Chowk to Jamia Cloth market), Shahrah-i-Iraq (from Fresco Chowk to Government College for Women), Khalid Bin Waleed Road (from Noorani Kebab to Cheelwali Kothi and onwards, Jamshed Road No 2 and 3 and New M A Jinnah Road (from Islamia College to Jail traffic intersection).
Moreover, all footpaths falling in the periphery of Karimabad’s Meena Bazaar, another major road from Aisha Manzil traffic intersection to Mukka Chowk, and the Main University Road from Hassan Square to Ashfaq Memorial hospital have been encroached upon.
To the surprise of many, there are no footpaths on either side of Shaheed-i-Millat Road and pedestrians can be seen walking on roads. Commuters on this road are seen waiting for buses and coaches on the first lane of the road.
Attributing the increase in road accidents, particularly of those involving pedestrians, to roadside encroachments, illegal occupation of footpaths, stoppage of buses, mini-buses and coaches either in the middle of roads or at turnings of busy traffic intersections, and absence of pedestrian bridges on a number of busy roads, sources in the city government’s transport department said all these are playing havoc with pedestrians lives.
They said on the one hand, drivers of buses, mini-buses and coaches have developed habit of stopping vehicles at non-designated stops and, on the other, temporary rickshaw and taxi stands have sprung up near busy roundabouts and traffic intersections, causing hindrance in the smooth flow of traffic, besides making it difficult for pedestrians to cross roads comfortably.
During visits to Old Exhibition traffic intersection, Hassan Square intersection, North Nazimabad’s Hyderi and a number of other places, one would be surprised to see that most of drivers of buses, coaches and mini-buses drop passengers in the middle of roads without realising that they might be hit by vehicles from the rear.
Another factor responsible for pedestrians’ killing is motorists’ habit of stopping vehicles either ahead or on the Zebra crossing mark, concerned citizens said in this situation, pedestrians, especially elderly people, women and children, are seen crossing roads uncomfortably as a majority of the vehicles encroach upon their right to walk on zebra crossing.
Such scenes can be seen near Shaheen Complex, North Nazimabad’s Board Office, KDA Chowrangi, Nagan Chowrangi, Federal B’ Area’s Aisha Manzil, Water Pump traffic intersection, Old Exhibition, Eidgah, Empress Market, Capri Cinema, Tibet Centre, Karimabad, Liaquatabad’s Dakkhana, Nairang Cinema and Light House Cinema.
Although the traffic police officials are supposed to be present near Zebra crossings to check violations, they are seen extorting money from those flouting red signal.In Saddar also, the menace of roadside encroachments and illegal occupation of footpaths is assuming an alarming proportion. Two of the total three lanes of a number of busy roads, such as Sir Abdullah Haroon Road, near Saddar’s Electronics Market and the newly-constructed New M A Jinnah Road, often remain occupied with vehicles, leaving hardly one lane on both the roads for movement of vehicular traffic.
Though the Jamshed Town had recently launched a campaign against owners of car showrooms for parking vehicles on the New M A Jinnah Road, the car dealers’ vehicles have once again started appearing on the road.
As two extreme right lanes of Sir Abdullah Haroon Road usually remain occupied with motorcycles between 5 pm and 11 pm, and motorists are forced to drive cautiously.
“Isnt it surprising that the Preedy Street police waste no time in lifting vehicles in Saddar, but they take no action against those parking vehicles at the electronics market,” remarked a jittery motorist.
