ISLAMABAD: Though the civic agency has spent millions of rupees under the prime minister’s package on the improvement of roads in the capital, most of the roads still lack proper zebra crossings.

Besides, end-to-end consumer pathways and markings in the middle of roads have not been carried out, creating problems for pedestrians as well as the motorists.

During a visit to G-6 and G-7 by Dawn, sever al misleading zebra crossings were also seen where the CDA only marked some small strips to give them the look of zebra crossings.

Zebra or pedestrian crossings are used around the world to cross roads. Their distinguish feature is the alternating dark and light stripes on the road surface, resembling the coat of a zebra.

According to CDA officials, ahead of a zebra crossing, there should be a signboard warning the traffic of the pedestrians crossing the road.

Despite spending millions of rupees on road reconstruction, CDA is yet to facilitate pedestrians in crossing roads

However, in most of the places where the CDA has made the so-called crossings, there is no signboard.

Interestingly, the CDA painted some strips on a speed-breaker near the ICB College at G-6, giving it the look of a zebra crossing.

“The CDA has no interest in these issues. Across the globe, there are designated crossing points for pedestrians but in the federal capital the CDA thinks otherwise,” said Luqman Ahmed, who was crossing the road near I-2 signal, which divides G-6 and G-7.

Another citizen, Ismail Khan, said there was a shortage of designated crossing points.

“Pedestrians should also show civic manners by not crossing roads wherever they find a chance,” Mr Khan said.

The CDA has been spending millions of rupees on the re-carpeting of several roads under the prime minister’s package for over a year. Interestingly, the CDA’s own laboratory reports in January this year had termed the quality of work on several roads unsatisfactory.

When contacted, Member Engineering Shahid Sohail said: “I have no idea about the points/places you are referring to. If there is any misguiding zebra crossing, we will fix them.” He said there should be a proper path to cross a road by pedestrians.

Meanwhile, an engineer of the CDA requesting not be named said as per international standards, the civic agency was bound to establish proper crossing points with proper signboards to sensitise pedestrians and motorists.

He said the traffic police should also be blamed for creating problems for the pedestrians.

“During the last a few years, the traffic police have closed a number of signals to ensure smooth flow of traffic but this has deprived the pedestrians of their right to cross roads in a decent way.” He said F-10 Markaz was the classic example of such a case.

The official said after the closure of signals at F-10 Markaz, pedestrians who wanted to go to F-9 Park had to cross the road while taking risk. However, SSP Traffic Police Malik Matloob Ahmed said they had no role in the closure of the signals as the CDA traffic engineering department dealt with the matter.

However, the SSP said there was a shortage of proper zebra crossings in the city. “Zebra crossings should be obvious and there should be proper stairs/slopes for the pedestrians. Unfortunately, in most of the cases, our roads are missing proper crossing points,” he said, adding the CDA should also install pelican signals on the roads.

Published in Dawn, October 15th, 2016