ISLAMABAD, Feb 3 (TNS):The capital’s citizens on Monday expressed their concern over the miserable condition of passengers van stops and demanded their urgent overhauling from Capital Development Authority (CDA).
The waiting sheds constructed by Civic Authority a long time ago to facilitate passengers are in dilapidated condition and require urgent attention to make the facility practical.
Anwar Aftab at Abpara stop, while taking to TV channel while appreciating the facility a blessing in all weather extremes called for their 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 a van with ease while sitting. She however complained the space must be customized for dedicated portion for female travelers.
Another female Mrs. Imtiaz was concerned about non-availability of electricity, making them to wait under streetlights along road to night.
Zahoor Ahmed a passenger waiting 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 contacted to CDA’s Maintenance Department, 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‘s 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, Miam Muhammad said his department renovates multiple stops but regretted that paucity of fund was hampering construction of new van stops and maintenance of the already built structure.
