KARACHI
Citizens commuting through New MA Jinnah Road have taken strong exception to its virtual occupation by car dealers with their vehicles parked on more than half of the thoroughfare severely affecting the flow of the regular traffic.
They said this was being done with absolute impunity at the expense of none other but the citizens paying road tax while contribution of these businessmen selling cars and their accessories to the national exchequer is yet to be ascertained.
The commuters were equally critical of the city administration failing to realize their responsibilities towards the public in general.
“There must be definitely some truth that palms of the authorities are regularly and heftily greased so as to remain indifferent towards public plight,” said Mukhtar Ali passing by the site on a public bus on daily basis.
New MA Jinnah Road, one of the most important sections connecting University Road and Jail Road to Saddar via Preedy Street could have been a great source of convenience for the people going to down town from Gulshan-e- Iqbal, Gulistan e Jauhar, Malir, Liaqutabad.
Unfortunately, the project undertaken and accomplished with all good intentions has turned into a nightmare for those having no other option but to use it.
Expensive and not so expensive vehilces of every hue, colour and mark can be found parked row upon row without any fear at a long stretch, a little farther from Islamia College and Dawood Engineering College.
This perhaps was not enough, recent conversion of many of the residential bungalows, on this one of the once most posh localities, into commercial buildings has popped up with series of car accessories outlets.
A major portion of New MA Jinnah Road is again there to get the accessories showcased and attract the potential buyers.
Meanwhile, fully conscious of money power and influence the staff of car show rooms can also be frequently found using wrong side to shift vehicle on sale from one shop to other hence jamming the traffic at the single lane used by genuine road user going to their work places or returning home.
It may again be of no surprise to see traffic flow moving at a snail’s pace on this 50 feet wide road from 12 noon to 2200hours.
