"AB Khan" (not actual name), a driver of
Edhi Ambulance service expressing his difficulties in driving on 14th August
tells " I had a patient in noon in my vehicle for Liaqut National Hospital
from Gulistan e Jauhar and heavy traffic jam was ahead but somehow I managed to
drop him there in almost an hour drive. But I am worried many other ambulances
drivers wouldn't manage to do so in time because of this traffic jamming today ".
The 14th of August is definitely a day to celebrate
but these celebrations shouldn't disturb the city and citizens. Today a series
of miscellaneous motor rallies to celebrate national Independence Day jumped
into the Karachi roads that caused serious hustle and stopped traffic movements
in Karachi East, Central, South and D.H.A. Ahsan Ajaz Magoon also shares some of
his photos and a video clip on a Whats'up Group in which he complained that a "serious
traffic-stuck was observed at Khyaban e Ittehad, DHA at 12 o clock that took
more than an hour to go through the Khyaban".
Definitely, other people would also have same
experiences despite being part of these rallies. However, it was observed that
most of these rallies were badly disorganised, scattered everywhere and
troublesome for general public commutation. There was no specific route
mentioned for them and they move on all the main commuting arteries of Karachi
like University Road, Shahra e Faisal, Shahra e Pakistan, Abdullah Haroon Road,
Clifton Road, Korangi-DHA Road and Khyaban e Ittehad. Traffic Police did all
what they could to stream traffic movement but mostly unable to unlock the
traffic gridlock wherever and whenever occurred due to uncontrolled numbers of diverse
and numerous Independence rallies.
Now the question is are these motor rallies and
"Azadi Carvans" are
sensible way to celebrate events and festivals in already a dense city like
Karachi? More importantly does the civic administration are able to control
these rallies after giving permission them? It is assumed many political, politico-social,
politico-ethnic and socio-religious rallies do not seek these official permission,
otherwise public commutation in city wouldn't be in dismal state on 14th of
August.
The other options to celebrate festivals, success
and events are much wiser. Why not the hierarchy of these "Azadi Carvans" opt for Cleaning
Drive or Plantation Drive in the city for celebrations. That will benefit the
city and inhabitants more rather discomforting them. I personally know many Tree
Plantation Drives were held only in District East Karachi on 14th August 2017.
One was held in Safari Park jointly organised by an NGO Kumak and Mera Karachi,
where around hundred trees of Almond, Gua and others were planted.
Another Tree Plantation Drive was organised by
Council of Participatory Development near NIPA, in which trees of Neem and Morianga
were planted by school children.
These are suitable, sensible and civilized options
to celebrate things in Karachi, rather holding motor rallies to flex your
muscles for a noble cause. That would harm the city more in terms of traffic
gridlock, commutation hurdles and other
transportation crisis for general public including patients, passengers
and senior citizens. Hope civic administration
would take think now seriously about it.
By
Editorial, Infocus
Very important question for karachits, need to learn constructive ways of celebration. Well done Infocus
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