Rawalpindi has many problem-infested areas

Virtual death traps in the form of open manholes, naked dangling electric wires and poor lighting in the streets causing serious accidents have claimed several lives in and around the Rawalpindi city over the years.

“Piecemeal measures have been taken in some cases, while others have been ignored altogether. The problem is ubiquitous; the posh sectors have as many live wires as the southern ones. Open manholes are a common sight, both in and around Rawalpindi,” says Farhat Abbas.

“The city that has come to epitomize modernity, seems to consider human life cheap. A drive along the city roads and streets or even the suburban areas like Dhoke Hafiz, New Lalhial, Shah Khalid Colony, Taj Abad, Fazal Town, Faisal Colony, Gulzar-e-Quaid, Judicial Colon and, Civil Aviation Society shows numerous threatening live wires. The posh northern sectors are no better than the southern sectors in this regard,” says Saqlain Naqvi.

“Regarding open manholes, the story is somewhat different. A random survey showed that southern sectors had more open manholes compared to the northern sectors. The southern sectors have a high population density and vehicular traffic, making the danger even greater,” says Shabbar Rizvi.

Qasim Ali says: “The News lens man once clicked the accompanying picture of the open manhole near the Jamia Masjid Road. Similarly, open manholes were noticed opposite the market in Banni Chowk, besides a house in a street over there and at many turnings on the roads.”

“Those on the roads sometimes prove fatal for two-wheeler drivers unable to negotiate turns. Poor lighting in the streets has turned the city roads into a driver's nightmare. Serious accidents have resulted from drivers hitting obstacles due to poor lighting, at times causing deaths,” says Syed Husnain.

“Almost the entire road Airport Road up to Koral has no streetlights, not even the service road. Only private buildings have some bulb,” says Saulat Reza.

“The road from the start of Rawal Chowk till Sultanpura roundabout has street bulbs which are never lit. Officials do swing into action following accidents, but no concrete steps have ever been taken to deal with the problems on a long-term basis,” says Hamid Hussain.

“Many have been electrocuted; motorists have suffered accidents owing to open manholes or got hurt due to poor visibility. The administration has prepared reports from time to time, but not done much to deal with the situation,” says Rizwan Haider.

Zeeshan Alvi says: “These problems are even more acute in colonies on the periphery. City residents remember the incidents that have taken place on the Rawal Road zigzagging up to Chohan Chowk. City residents have again begun to hope that things would improve and lives not be wasted on city roads.”