BRT’s launch fails to address traffic issue in Peshawar
Peshawar is the capital of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, and is one of the leading destinations in the academic, industrial, public, and private sectors. As the city’s population grows rapidly due to the rapid migration of people from rural areas and other cities to better education and new job opportunities, it has also contributed to the current problems associated with the road. An increase in private vehicles has harmed the already critical situation of the Peshawar transport system.
Traffic congestion in Peshawar has become a major problem other than the poor traffic system which has other factors such as inappropriate parking spaces due to lack of parking spaces, road interference, and a 229% increase in private vehicles in almost a decade. The use of many Rikshaws in the city has often caused congestion and caused accidents. It is estimated that only 20,000 cars and 70,000 rickshaws are registered with the Department of Transportation. Such an amount of consumption is a major factor in the region’s pollution
The traffic authorities involved in maintaining traffic control in Peshawar have certainly failed to provide safe public transportation. Various sections are contributing to the Peshawar traffic situation such as encroachment on busy markets and illegally occupied roads and even sidewalks by shop owners and traders. The lack of parking spaces leads to customers parking their cars near their shops which is why they contribute to traffic congestion. Peshawar terrorism also had an impact on road issues to some extent as law enforcement agencies imposed a ban and spied out spaces in various parts of the Peshawar highway. The site of buildings such as the Provincial assembly KP, the Peshawar high court, and the pearl continental hotel sit on the same GT Road route with its entrance gates slammed shut and check poles by authorities. Traffic jams are usually congested due to the arrival of official government vehicles. The entrances to these buildings need to be replaced for the cars to run smoothly.
Road closures and deviations from the ongoing Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system have made travel across the provincial capital a nightmare for residents. As the work progresses to the advanced stage, where contractors are faced with the most challenging aspects of the project, several major roads are either closed or closed to traffic.
Roadblocks have made daily trips to and from the city, center, university, Hayatabad, and Karangano areas under herculean work, which people have to do every day. Thousands of commuters using luxury city transportation have been severely affected by the situation. The Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), one of the billions of provincial government programs to transform public transport systems and reduce road problems in the provincial capital, appears to have failed to achieve its goals. Despite its launch on August 13, 2020, a large number of private transport systems are still operating on the BRT tunnel. They are usually parked at nearby BRT stations; instead, the BRT service has made the work of these vehicles easier. Integrated local transport stations are being upgraded, which has exacerbated the traffic problem in Peshawar. One can see traffic jams at Hashtnagri, Haji Camp Adda, Firdous, University Town, and University Road near Khyber Teaching Hospital.
Like the false and vain promises made in the past, the PTI government has also failed to deliver on its promise of a road crisis that must be resolved after the introduction of BRT or Tehreek-Insaf could help itself in the eyes of these independent transporters. There are 618 local buses, minibusses, and trucks in the city using the main road from Chamani to the Karkhano market. Then there are the thousands of rickshaws in town. We plan to stop buses and trains using the highway while only licensed rickshaws will be allowed on the roads near the BRT tunnel.
However, no action has been taken regarding these vehicles to date. Viewers feel that once the issue is resolved, road problems will not be resolved in the City. The purpose of transport planning is to facilitate the transport of passengers and goods on urban roads. The city’s transport system not only serves the purpose of transportation but also contributes to overall economic growth. Consumer efficiency and efficiency of consumer fuel can be enhanced by transport planners and business decision-makers by directing the transportation system. Peshawar is a densely populated city that has several problems, such as traffic congestion. Many roads are in poor condition, and under these conditions not only will road accidents increase but travel time will also increase and negatively impact travel costs and costs. Peshawar governments and administrations have repeatedly failed to maintain the welfare of this city of the people.
Gulalai Tariq
BS Political Science
International Islamic University,
Islamabad
