WILL the Rawalpindi traffic mess be cleared and road users spared the nerve-racking traffic jam on Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Road? What should the people do if the snarl-up of traffic on Liaquat Bagh Road, particularly at the Fauwara Chowk, remains like that always? What about the traffic obstruction on the road that leads to the railway station from Mareer Chowk? Such questions are put before the traffic wardens of Rawalpindi by the people from time to time.

First of all, we have to examine those factors that are causing traffic mess on major avenues of Rawalpindi. Certainly, the ever-increasing number of vehicles comes on the top. On an average, 3,500 vehicles are being registered in the city every month. Here most of the people blame banks as they give vehicles on lease.

However, I don't consider this argument to be a valid one because it is the basic right of every citizen to spend life according to his wish. Every citizen wants to have a vehicle for his/her convenience, so the growing number of vehicles just can't be stopped.

The VVIP or VIP culture is the second major reason for traffic jams. Whenever a very, very important personality is on the move, a special route is set up for him. Traffic on that road can't move until the VIP has been escorted towards his desired destination. The masters of our fate should take pity on the nation.

The third cause of traffic mess is the condition of roads. The roads of the city are the same as they were 20 years ago. The extension of roads is the need of the hour. Moreover, the government should construct alternative roads.

Fissuring of roads is the fourth factor that takes an active part in the blockage of traffic. The authorities concerned should pay heed towards this and road repairing should be done whenever required.

In Islamabad we see the Capital Development Authority working tirelessly. Every week a new flyover or underpass is gifted to the commuters of the federal capital. But here it seems a sterile institution in the name of the Rawalpindi Development Authority exists. The government should make this institution a strong one. The city badly lacks flyovers and underpasses.

Most Pakistani drivers are not aware of traffic laws and have no road sense. The education ministry should introduce the subject of traffic engineering at the secondary level, which should be taught as a compulsory subject so that people could be attuned to traffic rules and regulations.

Another disappointing thing is the scrapping of the Elevated Expressway Project. It should be resumed as a topmost priority for the development of Rawalpindi.

The announcement of the importing of satellite scanning traffic signals from Australia and the construction of six fish-bellies at the key junctions of the city by Chief Traffic Officer Dr Muhammad Akhtar Abbas is a positive sign.

The traffic wardens of Rawalpindi strain each and every nerve of theirs to regulate traffic smoothly.

However, they are often suspended and dismissed due to fining bigwigs. The authorities should empower them so they don't face any problems in fining big shots and eliminating the VIP culture.

Traffic wardens have to face great difficulties as their duty sectors are changed after every three months. Most of them belong to Chakwal, Jhelum and Attock and live in rented houses.

When their duty sector is changed, they have to change their rented house also or they have to take a long journey to reach their duty point. This causes great trouble for them. The department should alleviate their problems and should faci- litate them as much as possible so that they could serve their country without any sort of tension.

By eradicating the above-mentioned problems we could have a smooth-running and efficient traffic system.

NABEEL ANWAR

Traffic Warden

Rawalpindi