Ijaz Kakakhel
The residents of F-7/3 demanded of the government to control the reckless and speedy driving on Main Margala Road at the four-crossing near to 7th Avenue end, which was responsible for several accidents and lose of precious lives. Narrating the story to Pakistan Observer, Manizeh Gauhar, a resident of F-7/3 on main margala road said she was living there for the past 30 years. “I have witnessed countless deadly accidents including a hit and run a few days ago, which took the life of a young 40 years old father on his way to work. This dangerous four ways crossing on the Margalla road needs an urgent solution either large speed bump like the one example of Poly Clink Hospital or a traffic light to be function. Without solution how many more lives will be taken, she questioned. The Margala Road become main hub of accidents, and death of human lives frequently. Manizeh Gauhar demanded to make the signal functional or made speed breakers on the above road so as to avoid further accidents.
Due to reckless driving, Suleman Baba, a 29 years old boy killed in road accident when he was on motorcycle on Feb 29 2023. He was hit by speedy motorcar on Margala road. This is such a tragedy to suddenly lose a loved one because of someone else’s fault. May no one have to go through this pain, she maintained.
Islamabad has seen a rapid increase in traffic in the past few years due to a growth in the number of residents. Inhabitants of Bhara Kahu, Bani Gala, and surrounding regions especially find it hard to reach or leave Islamabad through the crowded city roads, especially during rush hour.
Margalla Avenue is a 33-kilometer highway in the Margalla Hills area of Islamabad’s suburbs. The roadway is an alternative to Srinagar Highway and will allow easy access to the N-5 National Highway from the tenth and eleventh sectors of Islamabad.
This road is a vital component of the greater Rawalpindi Ring Road project, as it connects Sangjani (N-5 National Highway) to Barakahu (Murree Expressway). Chairperson Karim Khan Afridi Welfare Foundation (KKAWF) Cristiana Von Sperling Afridi told this scribe that Margala road is a killer as most of the people lost their lives due to reckless driving, small road and more traffic. There is a junction from four sides at F-7/3 street No 1. Hundreds of people lost their lives on this road. It required proper road management, said added. Cristiana Von Sperling Afridi called for straps for pedestrian. The government has no priority for those who are going on foots. She also claimed that main Blue Area double road is people unfriendly because nobody can cross the road by foot due to passing of metro bus route in middle of the road.
