Hayatabad residents demand action against illegal parking

PESHAWAR: Residents and commuters in various sectors of Hayatabad township, especially Phase-5 have raised concern over the chronic issue of illegal parking, which leads to frequent road blockades and public safety concerns.

The problem is particularly severe in front of key government offices, including the Directorate of Excise Taxation and Narcotics Control, Passport Office, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority and regional offices of Allama Iqbal Open University and Federal Investigation Agency.

The root cause of the issue is the unauthorized parking permits granted by the Peshawar Development Authority (PDA) to private individuals. This has resulted in severe traffic congestion, especially during peak hours.

Even ambulances face difficulties in reaching their destinations as the area houses several hospitals. Residents argue that this not only causes inconvenience but poses a grave threat to public safety.

Despite repeated complaints, the local administration and police have failed to enforce parking regulations, allowing violations to persist.The residents, officials and daily commuters asked the authorities to take immediate action and rid them of the persistent mental agony and physical fatigue.

A senior official at the Excise and Taxation Department told The News that it was the duty of the authorities concerned to ensure a safe and accessible environment for residents as well as commuters, adding designated parking areas should be arranged to prevent congestion.

In addition to parking woes, residents of this upscale township are grappling with other pressing issues, including poor cleanliness, road safety hazards, frequent thefts and the increasing presence of drug addicts.

These addicts not only create a security risk but also damage public infrastructure by breaking steel grills, road safety poles, and iron rods from bridges and flyovers, endangering pedestrians, particularly schoolchildren.A flyover near Shah CNG, a crucial pedestrian route connecting Phase 3 and Phase 4, has suffered damage due to vandalism, making it hazardous for students commuting to schools.