MARDAN, Oct 6: Residents of Mardan city are facing long traffic jams, particularly from the Hoti bridge to the Pakistan Chowk and from Niher Chowk to Hoti where a large number of heavily-loaded vehicles remain parked on both sides of the road.

Various bazaars and markets in the city are narrow where footpaths have been overtaken by shopkeepers, with their display cases placed on pavements.

People commuting on rickshaws or pick-ups wait for hours before they reach their destinations because of traffic snarl-ups.

In addition to heavy vehicles, pushcarts and donkey-carts also hinder the smooth flow of traffic.

Pedestrians face problems because platforms are occupied by shopkeepers. Many vehicles like trailers, trucks and Datsun pick-ups are parked by shopkeepers for loading and unloading purposes.

They become a source of great inconvenience for the public.

It is pertinent to note that the entry of heavy vehicles in the main market is banned in the daytime, but due to collusion of a powerful union of traders with corrupt officials, the rule is widely flouted.

Meanwhile, drivers and owners of various public vehicles have begun overcharging passengers as they have increased the fare without any formal announcement to this effect by the department concerned.

Drivers from Peshawar to Mardan have not only increased fare from Rs30 to Rs35 but they have also been pestering commuters by accommodating four to five people on seats where there is room only for three people.

Rickshaws charge Rs40 from Nehir Chowk to the district courts when the distance between the two spots is less than three kilometres.

When members of the public ask transporters as to why they have raised fare without the consent of the department concerned, they say that this question should be directed at officials who keep raising prices of petroleum products.