PESHAWAR, Dec 31: The provincial government has ordered launching of a project for widening of road at Sure Pul (Rehman Baba), which will cost Rs50 million and help streamline flow of vehicular traffic.

NWFP Governor Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah, during his visit to Sure Pul, directed the authorities concerned to initiate practical work on the project within a week. The project would not only beautify the Peshawar city, it would also reduce the rush of traffic.

The NWFP governor on Monday paid an unscheduled visit to the Peshawar city to keep himself abreast of the traffic problems and those of the locals. During his visit, people of the area gathered around him in large numbers and told him of their problems.

The governor issued on-the-spot orders for redressal of their grievances. During his visit, he also reviewed the traffic problems and inquired about the process of implementation on his directives he had given during his precious visit to the Peshawar city.

First, the governor straight away drove to the Bacha Khan Chowk where he inspected the District Secretariat and the construction work of the District Council Hall.

He also visited various portions of the secretariat. The governor gave certain directions for the seating arrangements, standard of construction of the district council hall saying that it should reflect the culture of this area. He said the cost of the construction should be minimum with maximum facilities in the new building.

He directed the officials concerned to hire the services of experts for the construction of the building. He said that the quality of work and timely completion of the hall should be taken care of.

He said that the visitors’ gallery and enclosures in the proposed building should not affect the beauty of the hall. The governor also inspected the offices of the Nazim. He said the District Secretariat should have the necessary facilities such as car parking etc for the people visiting it. On the occasion, the governor was also briefed about the proposed bus terminal.

The governor said the traffic problem had increased manifold and directed the officials concerned to make allout efforts for overcoming it. The governor also visited the general bus stand and the proposed a site for the bus terminal. He witnessed with dis- pleasure disorderly traffic at the General Bus Stand and issued a directive to keep the vehicles in order to streamline the traffic flow. He also ordered provision of benches at the Waiting Shades.

He said that water and other facilities should be made available for the passengers. He urged the passengers present there to use the waiting shades and ordered a separate shade for the drivers.

He also ordered proper cleanliness at the General Bus Stand. He said that there should be a proper exit and entry place for the vehicles at the bus stand.

On this occasion, the governor was told that the design of the bus stand was very old and it could not meet the present day requirements. The governor ordered the formation of a committee to be headed by the City Nazim with representation from police, municipal, development and transport departments. The committee will examine the deficiencies and suggest remedies.

Later, the governor visited the site of the proposed Peshawar Bus Terminal and directed the staff concerned that it should cater to the future needs of the city and the past mistakes should not be repeated.

The governor also visited Tehsil Gorgathary and went round various portions of this historic place. He ordered shifting of equipment of various government departments and ordered construction of a grill around the tehsil. He said the place had a unique historical importance and anything about its future should be decided in consultation with the citizen. He said that cleanliness situation was not up to the mark despite the fact that there was no dearth of staff. However, he said, “what we needed is the efficient utilization of the staff.”

The governor went on foot right from Gorgathary to Chowk Yadghar, had a look of the dilapidated buildings, mixed with the shopkeepers, shook hand with them and listened to their problems.

He sought the support of the locals and shopkeepers in widening of the roads. “We are ready to undertake the widening of roads but the shopkeepers will have to be magnanimous and pay sacrifices,” the governor said.

The beauty of the city and smooth flow of traffic was the collective responsibility of the government and the people. “We must show absolute magnanimity to this end.”

During his visit, rose petals were showered on him and he was garlanded by the people.