SWAT: Commuters and transporters on Sunday expressed growing frustration over severe road congestion in Mingora due to the ongoing digging work for laying a water pipeline in various parts of the city.

The digging, which has continued throughout the holy month of Ramazan, has made already narrow roads even more difficult to navigate, leading to significant traffic jams.

Transporters and commuters report that the continuous work on both sides of the roads has exacerbated traffic problems.

“The roads in Mingora are already too narrow to accommodate the current traffic load. With the contractors digging up both sides of the roads for laying the pipeline, the already limited space has been reduced even further,” said Itebar Gul, a commuter.

The issue is especially pronounced during the peak hours in the mornings and afternoons when the roads become heavily congested. “At these times, on some roads, the traffic is so dense that even pedestrians are unable to move freely,” Amjad Ali, another resident, complained.

The situation worsens during rains when the areas under excavation fill with water, turning the roads into muddy tracks and making them even more hazardous for both pedestrians and drivers.

“When it rains, the roads become a mess. The water fills the dug-up areas, and it becomes very difficult to get through without getting stuck or dirty,” Gul Rehman, a driver, explained.

In addition to this, there is growing concern over illegal rickshaws operated by untrained and underage drivers, who frequently flout traffic regulations.

“These rickshaws cause more traffic disruptions and pose a safety risk. Many of the drivers are either underage or lack proper training, and they don’t follow the rules of the road,” Arshad Ali, a local, said.

Residents and commuters called on the district administration to take immediate action. “We urge the authorities to instruct the contractors to speed up the pipeline work. Additionally, something must be done about the illegal rickshaws and the underage drivers,” said a local community leader.

Published in Dawn, March 24th, 2025