KARACHI, June 25: Karachiites have expressed their serious concern regarding rampant violation of road safety and parking rules across the city.

The metropolis, which is currently undergoing massive development work on numerous schemes, is also exposed to blatant violation of rules and regulations by citizens themselves as many of them, showing absolute disregard for the rights of their fellow, could be seen parking their vehicles in double row along major thoroughfares.

Most of these thoroughfares, partially dug up for laying of water or sewerage lines, are left with an even little space due to the haphazard parking.

“It is a nightmare to get through the New M. A. Jinnah Road housing car showrooms along both its sides. Quite a lot of vehicles are parked all along the road, otherwise a significantly wide artery,” Qasim Ali said. Resultantly, the road remains blocked most of the time. The problem has turned more serious due to the digging for ongoing development work there.

Thos experiencing the trouble as a routine, deplore the authorities concerned for bowing to the owners and operators of these showrooms and other shops on the road, and also regretted the indifference being shown by people towards the inconvenience they cause to fellow citizens.

“One can also witness ambulances getting stuck up at this very point,” Qasim added, pointing out that the road is located at an extremely important conjunction of Jail Road, Shaheed-i-Millat Road, Kashmir Road and University Road.

New M.A.Jinnah Road leads to Hassan Square on one side and Mazar-i-Quaid on the other.

Most of the residents of Gulshan-i-Iqbal, finding no other option open but to pass through the New M.A.Jinnah Road, have to go through the ordeal as the construction work for the flyovers at Hassan Square and Stadium Road has made travelling a cumbersome job.

“We can understand the traffic congestion and jams due to the work being carried out day and night,” Moiz Ratnani said, adding: “However, we cannot comprehend the logic behind parking vehicles at and around the Expo Centre to have some edibles, like chaat, fried fish, etc.”

Mr Ratnani was seconded by others who complained that many motorists appear quite indifferent to the traffic problem they would cause by blocking road while waiting to be served by waiters of roadside food shops and stalls.—APP