HCSTSI urges immediate safety measures on Autobhan road

HYDERABAD, Jul 16 (APP):President Hyderabad Chamber of Small Traders & Small Industry (HCSTSI) Muhammad Saleem Memon has termed the daily traffic accidents on Autobhan Road as worrisome and said that the loss of precious human lives and continuous damage to property have made this important road a serious public problem, which requires urgent and effective measures.

He said that in this regard, a detailed letter has been sent by the Chamber to Chief Secretary Sindh Syed Asif Haider Shah, in which the increasing dangers of traffic on Autobhan Road, daily accidents and comprehensive suggestions have been presented for their permanent solution.

According to a press release issued on Thursday, HCSTSI President Saleem Memon said that the construction and expansion of the Autobhan Road by the Sindh government is a commendable project that has improved the infrastructure of the city and brought significant improvement in the flow of traffic, however, the real success of the project will be possible only when this highway is made completely safe.

He said that the chamber had submitted several safety suggestions to the Sindh government last year as well, but unfortunately, most of them have not been implemented yet. Today, while citizens are losing their lives or getting seriously injured in accidents every day, immediate implementation of these suggestions has become the need of the hour.

The chamber president demanded from the chief secretary that safety grilles be installed in the middle of the road to prevent illegal crossings, more foot over bridges should be constructed at different places for pedestrians, modern traffic surveillance cameras should be installed, while a special traffic police unit should be formed for the Autobhan Road to ensure effective patrolling around the clock.

He further demanded that indiscriminate action be taken against one-way violations, wrong-way driving, illegal parking, encroachments, speeding and other traffic law violations, adding clear road markings, reflective sign boards, zebra crossings, proper street lights and other modern safety arrangements should also be provided immediately on the road so that the accident rate can be significantly reduced.

Saleem Memon said that the Autobhan is an important commercial road of Hyderabad where thousands of vehicles, motorcycles, students, employees, traders and citizens commute daily. If timely safety measures are not taken, there will be a risk of further loss of precious lives.

He appealed to the chief secretary to issue immediate instructions to the concerned departments to ensure implementation of comprehensive traffic management and road safety plan on priority basis. He said that HCSTSI will continue to extend all possible cooperation to all the concerned government institutions for the protection of lives and property of the citizens, better urban infrastructure and establishment of a safe traffic system.