March 21, 2008	Friday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 12, 1429

TAXILA, March 20: Despite the tall claims of the National Highway police and local administration, dawn to dusk snarl-up at Taxila main chowk is a routine feature, thanks to encroachments and apathy of the authorities concerned.

In a survey conducted by this reporter, it was observed that hundreds of vehicles are stuck up at the GT road at Taxila main bus stand during peak hours especially in the morning when people rush to their work place.

Encroachments, occupied parking places and a host of other traffic problems create chaos on the inter-district and inter provincial Grand Trunk road at Taxila main chowk.

The honking of horns, throbbing of engines and prolonged traffic jams on the various roads bring the life to a standstill, while the authorities concerned including local administration, National highway and Punjab traffic Police seem least bothered to resolve the problem.

It was observed that buses, cars, trucks, horse-carriages, hand-carts, scooters, bicycles, rickshaws and motorbikes swirl in a collective madness of dizzying chaotic racket. Passing is done on both sides, at any time, preferably often, and horns, not brakes, are the drivers’ main tools. Any one daring can go ahead on finding a gap. The trucks and trailers loaded with cement, sand and other goods also cause frequent snarl-ups.

Among various reasons for traffic jams at Taxila Chowk are drivers’ indiscipline, lack of civic sense, disregard for traffic rules, and lack of parking spaces in the main areas. Our builders take pride in the construction of illegal huge buildings without ensuring that requisite parking spaces have been provided.

Ironically despite announcement that traffic warden would be deputed at Taxila routes from January 2008, no traffic warden is deputed here which has aggravated the problems.

When contacted a NHMP official said that the main reason of the traffic mess was drivers of some local buses. He said 60 per cent of the slow moving traffic, which included rickshaws and trucks, were also major problems in managing traffic on roads.

It was observed that the traffic Police personnel are either absent from their duties or are least bothered about their job. Some time they are seen busy in collecting illegal gratification from the drivers of the public transport and trucks.

Keeping in mind the drastic increase in the number of the vehicles especially public transport on the city roads, as well as the changes in the type of traffic, new rules need to be formed, particularly for the urban centres, which are beset with all kinds of traffic problems. However, it is imperative to realize that no matter how much the police may try to enforce the law, the bottom line is that the society has to cooperate as well. Without a public willing to follow rules, every step taken in positive direction becomes futile.