KARACHI, Aug 6: Illegal parking and encroachments on Napier Road in Saddar Town result in traffic congestion and cause inconvenience to pedestrians and commuters every day.

A survey of the area shows that a nerve-wracking traffic jam has become order of the day on the route connecting Lyari Town via Lea Market with M.A. Jinnah Road and Nishtar Road. Right from the Denso Hall up to the Lea Market, the entire route has been encroached upon by vendors, pushcart holders and fruit sellers.

Taking advantage of the situation, all the shopkeepers have virtually occupied footpaths by keeping their display goods on the pavements and leaving hardly any room for pedestrians to walk through. Besides, the shopkeepers park their vehicles on both sides of the road, which is also one of the main causes of traffic chaos.

A visitor complained that it had become an uphill task to drive or even walk on this road particularly during the peak hours.

Being one of the busiest thoroughfares in Saddar Town, the road is surrounded by commercial centres like Juna Market, Khajoor Bazaar, Kori Bazaar, Paan Market and chemical markets. Moreover, the city and district courts are located in the walking distance of this commercial route.