Sukkur Struggles with Chronic Traffic Chokehold

Dr Abdul Waheed Mastoi
SUKKUR: Despite repeated assurances from the Sukkur District Administration, Municipal Corporation, and Traffic Police, including the establishment of an Anti-Encroachment Force
Sukkur city is gridlocked. Traffic jams have become a daily nightmare, plaguing commercial centers and main highways, with the worst congestion snarling the stretch from Police Headquarters to Dadu Chowk. The frustration of residents facing transportation woes boils over as relief seems stubbornly out of reach.
Despite repeated assurances from the Sukkur District Administration, Municipal Corporation, and Traffic Police, including the establishment of an Anti-Encroachment Force, the problem persists. Encroachment and haphazard parking continue to choke the life out of city arteries. Shikarpur Road, Ghanta Ghar, Station Road, Glamour, Naidangah Road, Rishnan Mobile Market, Ghanta Ghar Chari, Post Office Neem Ki Chari, Shalimar Road, Shahidganj, Barrage Road, Shikarpur Road, and Race Course Road are just a few of the many commercial hubs transformed into gridlocks. Civil Hospital Road and Nawan Goth add to the daily misery, even affecting pedestrians and shoppers trying to navigate the chaos.
A recent late-night jam near the Police Headquarters brought traffic to a standstill for hours, highlighting the severity of the issue. Ironically, development works themselves contribute to the congestion, creating a double whammy for frustrated residents.
Adding insult to injury, citizens accuse traffic controllers and municipal officials of colluding with car owners, allowing them to park illegally instead of enforcing proper parking regulations. This apparent apathy has sparked outrage among civic and social circles. They demand immediate action from Commissioner Sukkur, Deputy Commissioner Sukkur, Administrator Sukkur, Mayor Sukkur, SSP Sukkur, and other relevant officials. An effective traffic management strategy is desperately needed to alleviate the daily burden of gridlock and restore some semblance of order to the city’s streets.
The clock is ticking for Sukkur’s authorities. Can they finally break free from the chokehold of chronic traffic congestion and deliver tangible solutions for the city’s residents?