KARACHI: Karachi Traffic Police have strongly opposed to the 71 route permits devised by Sindh Transport Department for resuming Chingchi Rickshaw in city.
DIG Traffic Dr Amir Ahmed Shaikh said that it was the prime duty of traffic police to regulate traffic flow in right direction in the city so the Sindh Transport Department should take us on board for devising routes for Chingchis as the present draft of routes could lead a massive traffic jams everywhere in the city if these makeshift bike-rickshaws were allowed to ply on these routes in the city.
He said they have somehow controlled traffic flow on the city roads so demolishing the traffic plans should not be allowed to anyone.
He said that they have already asked Sindh Transport Department’s authorities to constitute a committee that comprises of officials and representatives from Sindh Transport Department, Karachi Traffic Police, Karachi Transport Ittehad and All Karachi Qingqis Welfare Association so that suitable rout plan for Chingchis could be devised for their plying on city’s link roads.
It may be noted that these three wheel rickshaws were completely banned by the Sindh High Court last year. After that, All Karachi Qingqi Welfare Association appealed the Supreme Court for lifting the ban. The Sindh government promised to bring an efficient public transportation system and the court kept decision intact once again.
When Supreme Court inquired the government about the alternatives, it announced the previously dropped projects of the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) and solar-powered rickshaws. When it seemed that the Sindh government was unable to show any progress in its urban public transportation system, the court then allowed Qinqi Rickshaws on three conditions to get registered, better safety standards and route permits before plying on city’s roads.
The DIG said that it has been observed that Chingchi rickshaws were most dangerous vehicles for commuters and as such they should be restricted only to the link roads connecting city’s main roads so that citizens could take another public transport for commuting on long distance.
He said that there was dire need that Sindh Transport Department should finalise the work on these rickshaws’ safety and registration first as directed by Supreme Court before working on their route permits.
