PESHAWAR: The Peshawar district administration on Wednesday resolved the dispute between the Hayatabad residents and industrialist association over entry of heavy vehicles to the city’s upscale neighbourhood.

The development came during a meeting chaired by Peshawar division commissioner Riaz Khan Mehsud.

Peshawar Development Authority’s director general Khalid Mehmood, Hayatabad Industrialist Association president Ghazanfar Bilour and other relevant officials were also in attendance.

Earlier, PDA had banned the entry of heavy truckers into the neighbourhood following the local residents’ complaints. However, the industrialist association announced to protest the restriction.

The meeting decided that the entry of heavy vehicles would not be allowed in the residential areas of Hayatabad. However, it directed the PDA to designate an alternate route for the heavy vehicles coming and going to industrial estate.

Mr Mehsud directed the relevant authorities that heavy trucks should proceed to the Industry Road from the detour road next to the Ring Road.

The commissioner also set up a monitoring committee with representation from industrialist association and local residents for finding a permanent resolution to the issue.

Earlier on Tuesday, on behalf of Hayatabad residents, Good Governance Forum had also opposed the entry of heavy vehicles into the neighbourhood.

In a statement issued here, the forum said: “Allowing entry via Hayatabad to heavy loaded vehicles would not only cause nuisance to residents but they will also damage the roads inside the township. Traffic jams would become a daily occurrence, which would further ruin the aesthetic side of a well-planned township.”

The residents had threatened that in case the entry of heavy vehicles was not banned, they would launch an organised campaign, and would also move a writ petition in court for enforcement of their fundamental right of enjoying peaceful life.

Published in Dawn, July 11th, 2024