MINGORA, Aug 24: Traffic problems have worsened in the main bazaars here and the police appear to be helpless to sort the congestion. Local traders also do not co-operate with the traffic police's efforts to change traffic patterns.

Traffic jams are a regular feature of life and a cause of constant headaches for the local people and tourists.

The movement of a large number of non-custom paid vehicles also adds to the traffic mess. Immature drivers - both age-wise and attitude-wise - who have no licenses are also seen driving the majority of vehicles and the police also avoids checking them.

The traffic flow is also impeded by shopkeepers' attempts to occupy more space than is their due. Another factor behind regular traffic jams is the negligence of the traffic police.

Too few constables could be seen performing their duties diligently and a large number of them just waste their time gossiping around. Stolen vehicles also abound on the road and the police appears to ignore them with no intention to check their legality.

Auto rickshaws and handcarts, which number in thousands, also create problems for the traffic movement. All major crossings have been turned into rickshaw stands. Officials of the municipal committee have no control over their numbers or movement. Too few of the handcarts have got permission for their vehicles while most are on the road without any legal authority.

The municipal officials are also restricted by politicians who tell them not to take any action against handcart owners. A handcart can be seen in front of almost every shop here.

The tendency of a large number of small vendors selling pakoras, samosas and fruits to park their carts in front of shops in spaces 'hired out' by shopkeepers themselves also constricts the space available for the smooth flow of traffic. The situation becomes more critical during peak hours.

Civic organisations and concerned citizens have proposed that movement of the heavy vehicles like trucks should be banned in the city, especially during the peak hours, as their haphazard parking to load and unload their cargo cause traffic jams.

They say that the construction of bypasses is the only solution to traffic problems in Mingora. The present bypass, which goes through the Takhtband village, is too far away from the city.

Passengers going to the upper Swat face considerable trouble because they have to traverse a long distance. Another bypass, called the Dak Khana Road, also appears to be insufficient to minimise the traffic problems under the prevailing circumstances.

The ban on the entry of vehicles in local markets has no effect as vehicles bound for the upper Swat are seen moving around there. The dilapidated condition of roads has further added to these problems. Drivers, who try to avoid ditches, run their vehicles even on the wrong side of the road.

Concerned citizens and social welfare organisations also call for the police to hold regular meetings local transporters to find a permanent solution to these problems. They also call for banning new auto rickshaws in Swat besides impounding vehicles seen running around without registration numbers.

The number of stands for busses, coaches, rickshaws and other vehicles should be restricted in the city and they should be firmly told to observe the law. Traffic problems, they said, could be avoided if the authorities concerned take concrete action against violators.