BUILDERS of the Islamabad Highway should keep in sight the convenience and safety of citizens. It’s good news that the prime minister has given consent to remodel the Islamabad Highway from zero point to Rawat. According to the plan, the rebuilt highway will consist of 10 lanes, five lanes in either direction.

Out of five, two lanes will be constructed with concrete and cement especially for heavy-duty trucks and buses. In the mean time, the CDA has ordered the completion of the service road along the west side of the highway from Faizabad to Koral Chowk. No doubt, on the completion of these projects the traffic flow will improve.

Besides this, some more points should be considered for making this plan more workable. On the way to Rawat there are many old dwellings and new housing societies along both sides of the road. Obviously, they all use the same road to go to Rawalpindi, the cantonment and Islamabad. Usually turning right from the main road is very difficult owing to traffic coming from the front.

Sometimes traffic signals are installed to control traffic, but they often obstruct the smooth flow of traffic.

Highway builders should keep in mind the convenience and safety of local citizens residing on either side of the road, with provision for underpasses and commercial areas. By leasing out commercial areas, the extra cost can be recovered easily.

Underpasses for pedestrians should also be made near populous dwellings instead of making overhead bridges, which are inconvenient for older and handicapped people.

S. M. Qasim

Islamabad

Published in Dawn, May 6th, 2015

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