Plan needed to deal with traffic mess

KARACHI - The Numaish bus stop, on MA Jinnah Road near mausoleum of father of the nation Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah is needed a comprehensive traffic improvement plan to focus the overall traffic patterns and existing geometric conditions to supplement safety of the road-users. It was proposed and recommended by the officials of the Transport and Communication Department (TCD) of the city government and Road Traffic Injury and Prevention Centre (RTIR), in a Road Safety Audit report, The Nation learnt on Monday. The Numaish bus stop is one of the busiest intersections in the city, connecting some major and important roads and various traffic problems including frequent accidents have increased at this bus stop which needed to be addressed. Road safety audits of the said intersection was carried out by the TCD of CDGK and RTIR, recommending that a detail study, related to the road geometry and traffic management is needed to have some prolific and meaningful solutions to the existing traffic mess which ultimately help enhance safety of the road-users there. Numaish Chowrangi is one of the important spot, connecting major roads like Shahra-e-Quaideen and MA Jinnah Road. Basically it is a cross-over intersection, facilitating all types of road users with the availability of all types of capacity modes. Due to rising number of serious accidents at Numaish Intersection, the need of a detailed road safety audit arises and two detailed Road Safety Audit were conducted during the last two months by the officials of TCD and RTIR which gave general findings that improper alignment of median has been identified on the particular road, coming from Shahra-e-Quaideen towards MA Jinnah Road (In front of the Mazar-e-Quaid Public Gate). The above-mentioned spot also comes under the category of construction work zone which is very hazardous for all types of road-users. Numaish Chowrangi is highly affected with the wrong way traffic movement (towards Hussani Blood Bank and Nizami Road). On overall intersection of Numaish starting and finishing tapers are not properly oriented and identified, specifically on the conflicting points of Parsi gate, Dcrouse Road and MA Jinnah Road. In front of EDHI Booth, a trapezoidal island has been identified which needs to be flattened in order to avoid stuck on accidents. The audit report proposed and recommended that in front of Mazar-e-Quaids public gate median should be narrowed from 17ft to 3ft throughout and road should be widened. Proper traffic calming measures and road signs should be installed to guide the road-users. All illegal excessive cuts should be closed from the intersection. In front of EDHI Booth, Trapezoidal island should be flattened to a certain extent. Throughout fencing should be installed to restrict pedestrian at - grade movement. Presently available bus stops should be properly maintained with proper shades and bus bay facilities. It should be highly checked by the TCD, on regular basis that signals should efficiently work 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. A detailed study related to the road geometry and traffic management should be done at Numaish intersection to have some fruitful and meaningful solutions to the existing traffic mess at this point. The sources in the TCD said that a Road Safety Audit report with proposals and recommendations had been sent to the Works and Services Department of the City government for consideration.