Chronic traffic congestion irks Mardan city dwellers

MARDAN: Residents of Mardan, including students, teachers, commuters and visitors, are facing persistent traffic congestion across the city, with many accusing traffic police of focusing more on issuing fines than regulating traffic flow.

Speaking to The News, citizens said that major roads such as Bank Road, Malakand Road, Charsadda Chowk, Shaheedan Bazaar, Hoti Chowk, Dwasaro Chowk, Baghdada Chowk and Malakand Chowk remain gridlocked most of the time due to poor planning and frequent traffic rule violations.

Mujahid Khan, a resident, criticized the traffic police for limiting their role to imposing fines early in the day without ensuring traffic regulation throughout. He suggested that the government abolish any commission structure linked to fines to improve traffic management.

Jan Muhammad, a visitor, alleged that many traffic wardens are often seen using mobile phones or chatting instead of managing traffic.Residents also complained that the area near District Headquarters Hospital on Shamsi Road is regularly blocked because of illegal parking and roadside encroachments. They said unnecessary U-turns and haphazard vehicle stops further add to congestion, particularly at Par Hoti Chowk, Malakand Road, the bus station and Charsadda Chowk, where passenger pick-ups are frequent.

Locals pointed out that despite the presence of an SP and DSP in Traffic Mardan, the problem persists. “Traffic officers have confined themselves to their offices, with no patrolling or monitoring of their subordinates,” one resident said.