[dropcap]S[/dropcap]hehri-Citizens for a better environment organized a workshop on the theme of “Dialogue to adopt Implementation Framework on Transport Mobility”.
It was learned that last year shehri conducted a survey in six major cities of Sindh on “Strategic issues in Urban Transport: Realities, Policies and Implementation Issues in Urban Cities of Sindh” to facilitate the documentation of all aspects of the crisis that our public transport system is faced with and to also bring out the related social, environmental and financial implications on the lives of the users.
While commencing the session Amra Javed Executive Member of Shehri shared that,In Pakistan 51 Percent of population lives in cities, because of no proper planning cities are getting congested.
She urged that to minimize traffic congestion, at least new societies and developments should have to be self sufficient.
Pakistan is 7th Climate change suffering country in the world, she warned the ratio will rise because of greenhouse gases. Whereas cutting down greenhouse gases, easily accessible, affordable and environment friendly mass transport system could prove beneficial the dangers of climate change.
Speaking at the session Inspector Ali Raza Gilani from Driving License Branch Clifton stated that, Rising ratio of encroachments on roads are also a major cause of traffic jam, till now traffic police gave awareness about the traffic rules to more than 1.5 lac citizens including students, armed forces and others.
Farooque Ahmed Siddiqui Director Local Government emphasized on the need of sustainable public transport, he said that in past there was twenty two thousand public transport buses on different routes of the city but now unfortunately instead of increasing the number of buses has declined to six thousand.
Later he presented the details and recommendations of survey which was conducted by Shehri last year. Sharing about the causes of traffic congestion he informed that as per the findings of survey, existence of encroachments on roadside, single way traffic managed roads, in discipline parking and lack of traffic signals are the main cause of traffic congestion.
Moreover he said that the survey report recommends that strict traffic enforcement by police/government, properly regulated transport system, deputation of traffic contrlling staff at hospitals and school areas, proper awareness & education program for public transport drivers, strict vehicle inspection & fitness checkup system, proper & smooth road construction and proper research of traffic load before planning & designing of roads could get rid on traffic congestion.
Further the report also suggests that, For improvement in transport system all stake holders including government, civil society and others have to play their role.
“Government must ensure the provision of proper transport infrastructure and vehicles for public” said a report. In addition Mr. Farooque urged that police must have to organize and deliver their responsibilities. Thus a sustainable and efficient public transport is only possible if all stake holders including individual adhere to his/her responsibilities, added a report.
Later Zahid Farooq from Urban Resource Center shared that, Since 2010 number of buses, mazda and coaches reduced only 40 percent are left now in the city, whereas mega city cannot run by motorcycles and rickshaws there’s a need of proper public transport system.
On the other hand Engineer Parvez Siddique, Senior Journalist Syed Mateen, Social Activist Syed Ali Raza have also shared their views and urged for the need of compiling proper action plan to get rid on the said issues.
