Van stops in Islamabad in miserable condition

ISLAMABAD, Jan 30 (APP):The capital’s citizens have expressed their concern over the miserable condition of passenger van stops and demanded their urgent overhauling by Capital Development Authority (CDA).
The waiting sheds constructed by Civic Authority a long time ago to facilitate passengers are in dilapidated condition and many of them are occupied by roadside traders and hawkers.
Anwar Aftab at Abpara stop, while talking to APP said the van stops were a blessing and saved passengers from severe weather conditions, adding the waiting sheds needed maintenance and cleanliness by the CDA’s relevant departments.
A lady passenger, requesting not to be named, said they were happy when the facility was established as they were able to wait for a van with ease. She however complained the space must be customized and a portion should be dedicated for female travelers.
Another lady passenger Mrs. Imtiaz was concerned about absence of lights at night time, saying due to darkness at van stops they have to wait under the road lights.
Zahoor Ahmed a passenger waiting for a van at T&T Stop said some sheds were being used by drug addicts due to their deteriorating condition. He asked for their cleanliness so that proper usage of facility could be ensured.
When CDA’s Maintenance Department was contacted, the official said that facilities fell under Municipal Corporation Islamabad (MCI). An official from MCI said that our sanitation teams were working on daily basis to clean the stops but this is also the responsibility of public to keep the van stop clean.
Responding to a question he said Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) must ensure removal of addicts. ITP should also force the public service drivers to only pick up passengers from authorized stops, he added.
“Our advertisement teams visit the stops and remove illegal publicity banners and wall chalking to ensure cleanliness of the sheds,” he said.
The Director Work Secretariat, Mian Muhammad said his department renovated multiple stops but regretted that paucity of fund was hampering construction of new van stops and maintenance of the already built structure.