PESHAWAR is a glaring example of urban ill-planning, causing multiple issues, especially traffic congestion. TransPeshawar, or Peshawar BRT, one of the most important projects in the province’s history, suffers from various issues, including ill-conceived feasibility and day-to-day unwarranted interventions along the route. It has seriously constricted the existing right of way, and congestion and traffic blockage is the ‘new normal’.

Moreover, the government has recently installed heavy road studs to streamline traffic on the main University Road, which has increased traffic congestion and nuisance. The citizens have to pass through this ordeal every single day.

Why don’t we learn from the experiences of other countries instead of inventing our own wheel? Why don’t we utilise the engineering principles or at least basic engineering sense? Instead of formulating some static strategy, the government should adopt a citizen-centric and inclusive approach to resolve the issue.

Fazal Rehman Safi
Peshawar

Published in Dawn, February 8th, 2022