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ATTOCK, Feb 15: Constant hike in transport fares and other irregularities are defaming the image of the district government due to the negligence of the local Road Transport Authority (RTA).
A survey conducted by this correspondent on Friday revealed the fares on both intercity and local routes had been enhancing with the connivance of the RTA authorities.
Scores of commuters complained their repeated requests to the authorities regarding the reduction in fares had borne no fruit, adding they had failed to direct transporters displaying fare lists.
They alleged the authorities had denied issuing amended fare lists as they allegedly accept bribe.
The protesters complained there was no body to check violation of law and the poor commuters were at the mercy of greedy transporters.
Overcharging and overloading on local routes had become a nuisance to the commuters, they said, adding those involved got away with punishment after paying monthly amounts to the traffic police and the RTA officials.
Some of the regular travellers between Attock, Rawalpindi and Peshawar urged the Punjab governor and Punjab transport secretary to take stock of the situation and rescue them.
HIGHWAYS: The government will allocate funds for the construction and upgradation of highways in various parts of the country.
This was stated by Communications and Railways Federal Minister Lt-Gen Qazi Javed Ashraf (retired) at the opening ceremony of the Khairabad Bridge on the Indus river, National Highway between the Punjab and NWFP near Attock kurd.
He said the construction of the bridge had been completed with an expenditure of around Rs460 million. The government was paying special attention to the rehabilitation of highways to ensure the smooth flow of traffic.
The entire highway from Peshawar to Karachi was being made dual for the purpose, he concluded.
