Daily Traffic Nightmare on Shahrah-e-Resham: How Much Longer Must Commuters Suffer? A 10-Minute Journey from Butt Pull to Township Now Takes 75 Minutes.

Mansehra: The worsening traffic situation on Shahrah-e-Resham has become a daily nightmare for residents, particularly during evening rush hours. Commuters travelling from Butt Pull to Township are increasingly forced to spend hours stuck in traffic. According to commuters, a journey that normally takes around 10 minutes took nearly one hour and 15 minutes over the past two days, causing frustration and wasting valuable time for people travelling for work, business, education and other essential activities. Another serious concern is the blatant violation of traffic rules by some motorists. Instead of maintaining their lanes, drivers attempt to overtake from both sides, create double and triple lines, and enter the road from the opposite direction, further worsening the congestion. One of the major reasons behind this situation is that Shahrah-e-Resham has remained a single carriageway for nearly two decades. Although the number of vehicles has increased significantly over the years, no substantial measures have been taken to expand the road according to modern traffic requirements. The presence of major shopping centres and commercial establishments near Bedra Chowk, Punjab Chowk, Pakhwal Chowk and Qarquram Hotel, along with the movement of heavy trucks and other large vehicles, also affects the smooth flow of traffic. Meanwhile, traffic police personnel continue to make efforts to manage the situation despite the overwhelming congestion. However, limited road capacity and frequent violations of traffic regulations make their task extremely difficult. There is an urgent need for strict action against lane violations, wrong-way driving and illegal parking. As an immediate relief measure, authorities should also consider restricting heavy traffic, particularly loaded trucks and loaders, between Lari Adda and Township from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM, or introducing designated operating hours for such vehicles. Residents have long demanded that Shahrah-e-Resham be upgraded to at least a four-lane road, with a proper central divider and dedicated footpaths on both sides for pedestrians. Comprehensive traffic management and parking arrangements around major intersections and commercial areas are also essential. Commuters are urged to follow traffic rules, maintain proper lanes and avoid creating difficulties for others in an attempt to save a few minutes. Residents should also raise this issue with their elected representatives, political leaders and relevant authorities to ensure that it receives the attention it deserves. How much longer will children, women, elderly citizens, students and daily commuters have to endure this daily ordeal? Shahrah-e-Resham is not merely a road; it is a vital commercial and transport route for the entire region. Its improvement is not the responsibility of one individual or political party but a collective concern of the people of Mansehra. The time has come for the relevant authorities to move beyond temporary arrangements and take practical, long-term measures to expand the road, improve traffic management and ensure safer and more convenient travel for everyone.