The new Ring Road in Lahore is to become completely operational on 8 March. Since it is a high speed road, rikshaws and motorcyclists are to be banned from using it as they are a traffic hazard. The road was built to reduce traffic pressure in the city to divert traffic away from the inner roads.
But there is a negative side to this. The lower middle classes who make up a significant portion of Lahore’s population and who do not own larger vehicles, what of them? They will be relayed to the side lanes and commuting will be more of a hassle than ever. Also making newer and bigger roads is hardly a sustainable way to deal with the traffic problems in urban areas. There should instead be a restriction on the import and sales of large luxury vehicles which are more often than not travelling with only one or two passengers.
City planning does not only include building roads, it is also possible by investing money in a comprehensive public transport system which would be more cost effective and more environment friendly.
SHANDANA SAJJAD
Lahore
