KARACHI, Dec 16: The city government will construct as many as 28 pedestrian bridges on main thoroughfares of the city to ensure unhindered flow of traffic and to help save pedestrians from road accidents , City Nazim Niamatullah Khan said here on Wednesday.

Inaugurating a pedestrian bridge on main University Road, in front of Urdu Science University, he said that the CDGK had selected spots for constructing 28 pedestrian bridges on main roads and a number of private firms had agreed to build them.

The firms which are cooperating with the CDGK in constructing these bridges on BOT basis would be allowed to use the bridges for advertising for a certain period, and, thereafter, these bridges would become sole the property of the CDGK.

Expressing concern over increasing number of road accidents in the city, he said of the total 51 per cent accidents in which pedestrians are involved, 75 per cent of them, mostly children, were either killed or maimed while crossing roads.

He hoped that with the construction of pedestrian bridges not only the number of road accidents, involving pedestrians, would be curtailed considerably, but the vehicular traffic would also proceed without any hindrance.

Reiterating that the CDGK was according priority to help resolve the city's transport problem, the Nazim said with the construction of flyovers, and underpasses and shifting of inter-city bus termini from the city to highways, would reduce traffic congestion and minimize accidents.

Besides, the citizens would see a marked improvement in the city's traffic system once the gigantic projects, such as a tunnel road at Manghopir mountains, an elevated route on Sharea Faisal, Lyari Exprss way and Northern Bypass are accomplished, he added.

Later, the Nazim laid down the foundation of two more pedestrian bridges to be built at main University Road, near old Sabzi Mandi and at Rashid Minhas Road, near Aladin Park.