KARACHI, Nov 4: A population of over a million in Shah Faisal Town continues to face transport problem as no new bus route has been introduced in the area for the last 15 years or so.

Despite promises made by authorities from time to time, no progress has been made and the town comprising seven union councils, Al-Falah Society, Pak Sadat Colony, Drigh Colony, Rafa-i-Aam Society, Moria Khan Goth, Raita Plot, Drig Colony, Sadat Colony, Natha Khan Goth, has turned into a victim of government apathy.

A meeting of the District Regional Transport Authority (DRTA) Board held on June 14, 2004, had strongly supported the operation of new routes from Shah Faisal Colony. It followed successive meetings by various government bodies, but the issue still remains to be resolved.

During the tenure of the former city nazim, Niamatullah Khan, UTS routes were introduced in various city areas raising the expectations of the Shah Faisal people that at least one UTS route would also be introduced in the area. But it came as a surprise to many that no coach or UTS route was sanctioned.

At present, area people are at the mercy of operators of Suzuki carry vehicles, and a limited number of minibuses of Y and Y2 routes. The worst sufferers are those commuting from the town to Tower, Site, North Nazimabad and North Karachi. A vast majority of students who live outside Shah Faisal Colony face problems as they have to walk through the railway tracks to reach their schools and colleges.

As the area is located on the other side of the railway tracks along the Malir river bed, residents continue to feel the pinch of non-availability of buses and coaches. Even rickshaws and taxis charge exorbitant fares for Shah Faisal Town from other areas of the city. A resident of the locality argued that no other operator was ready to ply vehicles, owing to powerful transport lobby running Y and Y2 buses. Inquiries revealed that that coach route 13-C from Tower to Shah Faisal Colony, via M. A. Jinnah Road, Shah Faisal Colony Gate had abandoned the service while minibus routes Y, and Y2 due to a limited number of vehicles were available after an interval of half an hour.

Observers may recall that the transport and communications department had signed an operational agreement on Aug 9, 2004, with one of the qualified UTS Transport Company M/s Transversion for operation of a new route from Shah Faisal Colony to Tower via Shah Faisal Colony 1, 2, 3, Raita Plot, Shama Shopping Centre, Colony Gate, Sharea Faisal, Shaheed-i-Millat Road, Tariq Road, Shahrah-i-Quaideen, Tower. But the plan never materialised.