KARACHI, Aug 31: The width of Burnes Road and Shahrah-i-Liaquat (Frere Road) has been reduced to almost half owing to encroachments by vendors selling fruits and other fruit items, and only one lane is available for traffic flow.
Also the condition of the two roads has deteriorated to such an extent that vehicles can be seen moving at a snail’s pace.
A portion of Mohammad Bin Qasim Road was dug up more than four months back for undertaking development works and yet it was still lying unfilled, causing hindrance in the smooth flow of traffic.
Besides, hoteliers, barbecue and fast-food centers, ice-cream parlors, have put up chairs and tables on the footpaths and roadsides for serving food to customers, ultimately usurping the right of pedestrians.
The entire footpath of Mohammad Bin Qasim Road from Fresco Chowk to Jamia Cloth Market has already vanished owing to illegal occupation by shopkeepers. A former administration of Saddar Town had reduced the width of footpaths of both the Mohammad Qasim Road and Shahrah-i-Liaquat on the plea of widening of roads.
During a visit to Mohammad Bin Qasim Road and Shahrah-i-Liaquat one can see pedestrians, including children and women, walking amidst fast moving vehicular traffic and according to residents of the locality, a number of accidents involving pedestrians have already occurred near Jamia Cloth Market as drivers of buses, mini buses and coaches, who often indulge in overtaking and reckless driving, take a sharp turn while proceeding towards he Mereweather Tower.
Chaotic conditions continue to prevail at the turning of Jamia Cloth market as not only its footpaths have been encroached by vendors but the drivers of buses, minibuses and coaches have developed the habit of lifting and dropping passengers right in the middle of the turning and yet they go unpunished despite the presence of traffic police officials there.
