Unchecked encroachments causing traffic jams in Mardan

MARDAN: The encroachers have set up illegal structures in different bazaars and squares in the city causing traffic jams, but the administration is least bothered to take action against them.

During a visit, it was observed that several shops have been built in various localities and bazaars without following the legal procedures. The encroachers have set up fruit and vegetable stalls on both side of the road causing inconvenience to pedestrians. Space in the squares and bazaars in Mardan city have allegedly been annexed in connivance with the officials concerned. This is creating traffic jams and causing problems for the pedestrians. The vendors selling tea, juice and other food items being prepared under unhygienic conditions outside the Mardan Medical Complex are fleecing the patients and other visitors. They charge high prices compared to the market rate. A Mardan resident, Asfandyar Khan doing shopping at a mall on the Bank Road said the shopkeepers have occupied the pavements and rented the space to the vendors selling various items. Saleem Khan, another Mardan resident walking on the Shamshi Road, said the banks and private medical centres had placed heavy power generators on the pavements. He added that majority of the private medical centres in Mardan had no parking lots, which was one of the main reasons for the traffic jams in the evening. He pointed out that the patients and their attendants faced difficulty in reaching their destination due to the massive traffic jams caused by unchecked encroachments. The illegal taxi stands on the Shamshi Road were also blocking the smooth flow of traffic. The encroachers have virtually occupied the Stadium Road, Bank Road, Charsadda Chowk, Par Hoti Chowk, Pakistan Chowk, Shahidanoo Bazaar, Sarfaraz Gunj Bazaar, Shamshi Road, Gajju Khan Road and other bazaars and roundabouts in the city.