MURREE: Speed breaker on expressway is something unusual but Islamabad-Murree Dual Carriageway has over a dozen speed bumps and as many illegal U-turns, hampering smooth flow of traffic.

The dual carriageway incurred Rs16 billion, but damaged at different places even before its completion. Though the National Highway Authority (NHA) has repaired the road and is constructing the retaining wall, the quality of work is not up to the standard of an expressway.

The speed-breakers at various places including Satra Meel Toll Plaza, Manga, Lower Samli, Samili, Upper Samli, Khajut, Lakot, Awaen, Baatnarra and other places prove irksome for commuters. Even Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif took notice of the speed breakers during his recent visit to Murree with Qatri dignitaries.

Dual carriageway was aimed at streamlining traffic to the hill station and to reduce load on old Islamabad-Murree road, besides catering to the need of local population.

Another major hurdle to traffic are illegal U-turns made by restaurants and food outlets illegally constructed on both sides of the expressway, despite a ban on all kinds of construction in Murree.

NHA also prohibited construction within 220 feet of the road. Such illegally constructed restaurants and food cabins made U-turns illegally after removing safety blocks. The U-turns can cause fatal road accidents.

When this correspondent contacted Kashif Zaman, director public relations NHA, he said the speed breakers had been installed to slow traffic at sharp curves and on damaged roads.

The bumps at sharp curves were demanded by the locals for the safety of school-going children, while speed breaker close to damaged roads will be removed after the completion of asphalt work, Mr Kashif added.

About the illegal U-turns, he said the NHA with the help of Motorway police was taking action against those who were involved in such practice.

Published in Dawn, March 22nd, 2017