The city authorities Friday submitted an action plan in Sindh High Court, spelling out short-term and long-term steps to manage and regulate the movement of heavy traffic in metropolis, whose number comes to around 107,000. The action plan was submitted in compliance with the orders of SHC, which had directed all the stakeholders to work mutually for devising a plan to resolve the deteriorating traffic situation in the metropolis in petition, seeking ban on entry of heavy traffic in the city.
The division bench of SHC headed by Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar had given one-month time to the city authorities in the last hearing to come up with an action plan to tackle the worsening issue of traffic issue, caused by movement of heavy traffic. On short-term measures, action plan, submitted by Commissioner Karachi suggested proper implementation of traffic routes and installation of traffic signs (Informatory & Prohibitory), cat eyes as well as educate the drivers through Traffic/Highway Police and NGOs as well as to revisit and update the traffic laws according to ground realities.
Action plan stressed to energize the Pakistan Railways freight service to carry more cargo from the KPT and Port Qasim to eliminate the road transport as well as the movement of inter city buses in the city limits be stopped.
It indicated the buses coming from the other parts of country are being parked at more than fifty un-authorized parking/stops in the centre area of the city causing traffic jam/congestion. Two bus terminals are functional one located at Hub River road near Yousuf Goth for the buses coming from various parts of Balochistan which is being maintained/managed by KMC while another bus terminal along Super Highway near Sohrab Goth which is being run by private persons; therefore all the inter city buses be bound to park their coaches at terminals instead of Al-Karam Square, Taj complex, Patel Para, Lee Market, Lyari and other places in the city vicinity.
It is suggested that a new terminal be established along National Highway for the buses/public transport coming from Thatta/National Highway near Gulshan-e-Hadeed as well as patronize the first right of refusal of Pakistan Railways for lifting of cargo from the ports and use the facility of oil tanker vegans fleet of Pakistan Railways by PSO & others.
On long-term measures, action plan suggested early Execution of Dual Carriage of Northern Bypass and establishment of new Truck Terminal at Northern Bypass in Deh Gondpas and Mai Garhi of District West reserved by the Land Utilization Department, Sindh.
It also suggested establishment of new truck terminal at National Highway, District Malir and establishment of parking areas/zones adjacent to all the industrial establishments/areas as well as construction of Southern Bypass to divert the traffic flow from KPT to Korangi Industrial area via Sea view Clifton Beach/Seashore.
Action plan also proposed construction of elevated Express Road from China Deep-sea Port/SAPT to Jinnah Bridge via M.A Jinnah Road to Jinnah Bridge. Action plan also suggested construction of bypass road from West Wharf to Northern Bypass along Seashore backside of Machhar Colony to Lyari River Bridge and construction of Interchange Bridge at ICI Junction to accommodate the flow of heavy traffic.
It also suggested construction of Over Head Bridge at PIDC Bridge to TPX container yard along M.T Khan Road and construction of Underpass at M T Khan Road near Bahria Complex/College as well as construction of Underpass at Korangi Road at Sunset Boulevard Junction. Action plan also proposed construction of Malir Expressway from Quaidabad to Super Highway along Malir River and construction of Oil Tankers Terminal Balochistan at Hub River Road, Deh Mochko, etc.
Comments
Comments are closed.