Traffic jams give tough time to commuters in LalChowk

With authorities failing to streamline traffic in commercial hub Lal Chowk, commuters on Friday faced a tough time due to traffic jams for many hours.
Commuters faced problems as they were stuck for hours in traffic jams from GhantaGhar to Regal Chowk stretch. The problem was compounded due to absence of traffic policemen along the busy stretch.
“The traffic mess has become a regular feature in Lal Chowk. One of the main reasons for traffic jams is wrong parking and setting up of kiosks by street vendors on roadsides. It took us more than an hour to cross road stretch from GhantaGhar to Regal Chowk,” said a group of aggrieved commuters.
Some commuters said there is high risk of accidents in Lal Chowk as pedestrians are forced to walk on main road. “Footpaths in Lal Chowk have been occupied by street vendors. This prompts pedestrians including students of nearby schools to walk on main roads,” they said.
On April 18, the Minister for Public Works, Floriculture and Gardens and Parks, Syed Muhammad Altaf Bukhari, had directed the authorities to initiate tangible measures to streamline the traffic management and road safety in the summer capital.
“However, the concerned authorities are sitting over this issue of public importance. Lal Chowk is commercial hub of the city and government should on priority improve traffic regulation and shift footpath vendors there to restore its pristine glory,” said Abdul Hamid, a pedestrian.