Editoiral
Commuting chaos during Eid
Will it ever be organised?
THIS was yet another year of unprecedented suffering for people leaving for homes in villages and townships as well as returning to their respective work places after celebrating Eid. While on their way home they were put to harassment and were subjected to misery at river and bus terminals including railway stations, the unfolding pattern of their return journeys shows similar agonies being faced.They suffered at the hands of dishonest and unscrupulous staff of both bus and launch operators including toll collectors who sold spaces on the deck of the launches. To top it all, operators of both buses and launches were charging fares at 2 to 5 times the normal rate. It is also relevant to point out here that due to the indifference of the owners and lack of application on the part of the law enforcing agencies accidents have become a yearly feature on account of overloading and faulty transport equipment. As in previous year many died this year too. Admittedly it is not an easy task to regulate and bring discipline to such a huge body of travelling people during the Eid vacation but surely the situation can be tolerably alleviated if the required level of commitment is shown by the relevant agencies of the administration. The public should also try to show a greater awareness of the need to refuse overloading of passengers and resist speeding. It is our observation that the number of law enforcing personnel posted at various terminals and stations are not only inadequate but all kinds of illegal acts by touts and toll collectors continue in their very presence most often through their slack and abetting. When will the Eid time management of the transport sector show a marked improvement in planning and delivery of services?
| 
