Traffic in Karachi - A comparison
I am sure the picture above is a familiar scene in Karachi. Getting stuck in crazy traffic jams is an everyday story now.
There are people who say traffic jams in Karachi is not a big deal as it happens in all big cities of the world.
Granted.
Observe the picture of a traffic jam after the jump…
That’s how rush hour traffic looks like in most metropolitan cities in the west.
But if you look at this picture carefully, and compare it with Karachi, you will find many differences.
Some of them are as follows:
1. Between any two cars, there is a gap of at least one car.
2. All lanes are straight. It seems like the cars are parked in straight lines. I hardly see any car changing lanes.
In short, although the traffic is congested, it has not lost its sanity.
On the contrary, the traffic in Karachi gets on your nerves.
Do you still think we can compare Karachi traffic with other cities? I didn’t think so.
It’s much worse here.
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Umar, (:
you gave us good reason to smile,
LOLZ…. i think its photoshop art… not possible in practical life… either in west or in karachi…..
If we’ll have two things we can get rid of the traffic problems, patience and courtesy.
Plus strict laws should also be implemented so that no one dare to break the rules.
@mobi - the picture is of karachi, metropole services club junction., a weekday chaos,
about other pic, - ? no comments
Your site Cool :)
I am very pleased with the service. Thank you for the extra 4 samples. When dealing with people so far away, and through the internet, I sometimes wonder if I will even receive anything for my money. I would not hesitate to use your services again or to recommend you to friends. Again, Thank You.
DIL KE BEHLANAY KO GHALIB YE KHAYAL ACHA HAI… I agree what Jamal Shamsi had commented that at least u gave us a good reason to smile. In other case, if the second snapshot is real u deserve appreciation…
What is the future plan for the Hotel Metropole site. Another building, or the use of this space for flyovers etc to solve the traffic mess created by jaahils?
While traffic jams in Karachi mainly occur due to maniac-minded, senseless driving and lack of traffic management by the authorities, on-going construction across the length and breadth of the city also chips in a large share in traffic chaos.
Few days back I did a post about Navigating through Karachi’s Construction Mess and got lashed by some regular readers, labeling me as pessimist and afwa-maker. Read yourself and decide if that’s right or not :)
Well, i will say, we also need to change ourself, sometimes we really doesnt care about laws and brake like nothin. But i want to clear on thing here, why we compareing two different senarios (pictures), Here picture 1 shows karachi trafic means trafic in city, but the second picture is the highway that connect two cities. I believe trafic on highway will not be as bad as local city trafic.
I am living in New York, In the rush hour (Peak time) we have same traffic as in karachi, that i am talking about traffic in NYC, it take me sometime 2 and 1/2 hrs to reach home from work, and if i travel in normal hrs, it take me 20-25 mins (10 miles distance) to reach home from work.
But, here nobody goes on wronge side and change lane frequently untill it need to turn right or left, everybody stay on their lane. At any time they follow signal no matter it is rush hrs, night time day time, whatever it is, they follow signals. In rush hrs if signal turns red, then everybody stop and give chance to move other side traffic, means signal works all the time and they follow those signals.
lanes? what lanes, in the picture, Motorcycle, Motorickshaw are the worst & most hazardous element for the traffic chaos in Karachi, then comes the mini-buses and at the bottom line are private car owners.
we have no concept of hard shoulders, a shoulder and median unless we have concrete barriers defining the divide.
- ironically when we are in pakistan we are unleashed hounds running after no-one but ourown being - we are in a spin
say it like a dog chasing its own tail. -
- ham kiss gali jaa rahay hain - !
*
………and at the bottom line are private car owners
***
What? Private car owners now stop at all traffic lights, drive in lanes, and yield to pedestrians and other cars? Whaaaaattttt?
streamlined or not…. a jam is a jam… i live in the west i know it… ppl jump lanes and ride bumper to bumper everyday!!
Well .. I live in a large metropolitan city and I tell you that almost 30% of the slowness created by the rush hour over here is also because of the people who keep changing lanes to try to get ahead ..
So it’s just a little bit worse in Karachi .. thats all :D
OH LORD! Have mercy!
I am from Karachi and currently in Glasgow. Though western cities are much more organized but aren’t perfect. I have seen several times here that people overtake the lanes in rush, over speeding etc. I know this is very rear compare to Karachi but it happens here too. I have been to Dubai too. I have seen overspeeding done by drivers of highway until they get are close to the speed detector where they slow their vehicle. The problem is that we are born to do wrongs and criticise ourselves. Even you and me driving in Karachi would do so, who wants to wait in car for so long.
I would like to quote an Urdu Idiom here “Door k dhool soohanay”. That is how I was also.
I am from Karachi and currently in Glasgow. Though western cities are much more organized but aren’t perfect. I have seen several times here that people overtake the lanes in rush, over speeding etc. I know this is very rear compare to Karachi but it happens here too. I have been to Dubai too. I have seen overspeeding done by drivers of highway until they get are close to the speed detector where they slow their vehicle. The problem is that we are born to do wrongs and criticise ourselves. Even you and me driving in Karachi would do so, who wants to wait in car for so long.
I would like to quote an Urdu Idiom here “Door k dhool soohanay”. That is how I was also.
I am very much pleased to see that someone has at least touched the topic.I am from Karachi and I was in Dubia for more than seventeen and that spoiled my habit that I was not able to drive in Karachi.This may be one of the reason that promted me to move to Chicago.
It is not the traffic jam,driving in Karachi is a nightmare,no traffic rules at all,no tolerance and no patience.It is a different world,a total chaos,honking without any reason.
I understand,it is not easy to change the habits easily.The cops needs to be trained according to the international driving standard,drving rules to be strictly implement.I have not seen any Tv talk show to discuss about the driving problem in Karachi.,at least someone has taken interest to highlight the uncivilised drving.
I know this uncivilsied drivng is spread all over India ,Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Lets hope that we get civilised in driving.
It is all about implementing the traffic laws with vigor and followed it up till the desired results are achieved. This means that the traffic authorities and city government must high light the importance of a disciplined traffic by advertising in the print and other media. And once the message is well heard, the enforcement of the law should take place without any favor. Public cooperation is must and this will only come by educating to those segments of society where their share of responsibility is not recognized. It is all to do with patience, courtesy and civic attitude. I am wondering how an ambulance would go through from such a traffic jam.
It is all about implementing the traffic laws with vigor and followed it up till the desired results are achieved. This means that the traffic authorities and city government must high light the importance of a disciplined traffic by advertising in the print and other media. And once the message is well heard, the enforcement of the law should take place without any favor. Public cooperation is must and this will only come by educating to those segments of society where their share of responsibility is not recognized. It is all to do with patience, courtesy and civic attitude. I am wondering how an ambulance would go through from such a traffic jam.
It is all about implementing the traffic laws with vigor and followed it up till the desired results are achieved. This means that the traffic authorities and city government must high light the importance of a disciplined traffic by advertising in the print and other media. And once the message is well heard, the enforcement of the law should take place without any favor. Public cooperation is must and this will only come by educating to those segments of society where their share of responsibility is not recognized. It is all to do with patience, courtesy and civic attitude. I am wondering how an ambulance would go through from such a traffic jam.
Every time I look at this picture, it reminds of so many things from my younger days. I remember eating ice cream in 1982 at a shop just around the corner from National Tiles in the same building. Other side of Metropole, right where Drigh Road ends, we had Palace movie theater. I saw the movie ABBA there I guess in 1981. AMMA thought that was a funny name for a filem.
Then, still existing Village Restaurant was right there. I remember eating lunch there in 1976 or 1977 right before watching Usman Pirzada’s ‘Beyond the last mountain’ also released as “Musafir” (?) in Urdu. I think the movie was playing at the Capitol theater, where now stands, what else, an ugly building which was Karachi’s excuse for a shopping mall when built. I still remember live band at lunch time in the restaurant. I remember attending at least a few weddings at the Hotel Metropole before it turned totally junky.
Kis zaalim kee aulaad nay yeh tasveer lay kar Balma kee yaado’n ko chhaiRaa hae!
Its like on halloween, cars playing musical chairs in different costumes.
It is all about implementing the traffic laws with vigor and followed it up till the desired results are achieved. This means that the traffic authorities and city government must high light the importance of a disciplined traffic by advertising in the print and other media. And once the message is well heard, the enforcement of the law should take place without any favor. Public cooperation is must and this will only come by educating to those segments of society where their share of responsibility is not recognized. It is all to do with patience, courtesy and civic attitude. I am wondering how an ambulance would go through from such a traffic jam.
imagine if every member in the household had a car
imagine if every member in the household had a car in karachi
imagine if every member in the household had a car in karachi
yiiiikessss…..sorry…it got stuck..didn’t mean to spam *blush*
FairyDust: You ain’t spamming now that you have cleared the reason of the multiple comment post but Mr. David Dunn IS spaming and apparnetly, he is trying to sell viagras and the mods are sleeping :D
I was in the traffic of hurricane evacuation during RITA hit Houston and I saw worst traffic jam of around 140 miles long lines but believe me it was not like first picture of Karachi but it was same as second picture and yes I am talking about 140 miles of cars.. People were stuck for 18-24 hours for 200 miles (towards another town) BUT the shoulder was empty for emergency vehicle and I (b/c I have driven in Karachi) was driving on shoulder a COP caught me and told me one thing “YOU ARE NOT SPECIAL” Get into the line………
For those who do not believe on second picture I assure you this is how traffic in the west is excluding Manhattan.
Nazir
We don’t have any mass transit system in Karachi, every metropolitian city in the world has it or they are in the process of developing it without the mass transit system we cant solve the traffic issue, Khi would go crazy in couple of years cause the way new cars are hiting the roads its crazy…espcially with iLliterate and stupids driving… i am not sure but somebody told me that some 600 cars are registered in a day… imagine if even 300 of them stays in Khi that would make 300×26= 7800 new vehicles everymonth…are our roads and the new bridges capable of handling this traffic ?
hmm!
City of KArachi doesnt have traffic problem !!
it has people problem only !
The worst traffic congestion is supposed to be in Ramazan ! and there wasnt a single traffic jam in Ramazan, due to strict monitoring of traffic by MQM volunteers!
This tells us two things!
number 1: that our traffic police is doing nothing !
number 2: Drivers do not even know basic rules of driving!
@Nazir - i spent my prime youth in NY, Boston, & Maryland areas, traffic chaos exist everywhere - BUT in Karachi & Lahore we find every driver worst as NY Cab driver who is loathed to core
@Syed Jhony - I 100% agree
It is with the people.
In Rawalpindi / Islamabad they have become damn civilised ( or shall i say scared of fines ) since police is refreshed with upscale salary and fringe benefits., at 1AM in Freezing 2 degrees Celsius the cab stops are redlight. :) and yes thats Islamabad.
It is about police and OUR driving attitude
Thats true u can’t compere other metropolitan cities’ traffic jam with Karachi. I have my office at I.I.Chundrigar road which is supposed to be one of the busiest roads in Krachi. I leave at 6 and the journey which I can travel in hardly 20 minutes, I cover in 2 hours and sometimes more than that. Not only public transport drivers have the instinct of impatience but the huge car waala’s and the highly educated and elite class has has this instinct growing more and more. Only God can save us from traffic nightmare otherwise no hopes!!!!!
i got a ticket/challaned cuz of changing lane at signal on canal road, Lahore :(
Dear frndz,
the karachi pic is editted. Note that the hi-roof, rickshaw, the maroon car all the near footpath in the pic are editted to show or create a more exaggerated look n feel.
* i spent my prime youth in NY, Boston, & Maryland areas,
US in the 60’s must be an interesting place to live….Any words of wisdom on that?
* i spent my prime youth in NY, Boston, & Maryland areas,
US in the 60’s must be an interesting place to live….Any words of wisdom on that?
Always compare an apple with an apple :P
@BALMA - no dude am talking about when You were sent to space by the russians with a banana :) -
-
:) 300ZX by DATSUN when was it 1st introduced in North American market :) and it slashed sale of Mazda RX7 by 70% within 8 months of launch try google on it - that was when I was there !
with a Tricycle ;)
@Jamal Shamsi
I have driven both in Karachi and West and Yes in New York too. Even in Manhattan Cab drivers obey signals and they do not change lanes, but in Karachi what the lane is no body knows, Come on compare apple with apple, Karachi guys do not have any ethics… they do not even yield Ambulances , can you expect same from cab drivers in New York I guess only if they are from South Asia!!!!
Nazir
@ Balma
You should have your wisdoms removed by now :)
I lived in West Verginia/ Maryland in 1999. Does that count?
Remember the song? Country road take me home
by Jon Denver.
@ Ali
Good observation. The pic. does seem to be doctored. Maroon and beige color cars are shown twice.
@ Nazir
80% of existing traffic lights are NON Operational in Karachi, from that 30% are without power due to non-payment of electricity bill.
95% of Karachi city main roads & streets are not with any lane markings AT ALL
Apple - to - Apple, let us have an apple 1st.
MIGHT is right -
jay walker is mazloom because bicycle hit,
bicycle rider is mazloom because motorbike hit,
mototbiker is mazloom because rickshaw hit,
rickshaw is mazloom because taxi hit,
taxi is mazloom because private car hit,
private car mazloom because minibus hit,
minibus mazloom because bus hit,
bus mazloom because dumper hit,
dumper mazloom because long vehicle hit
long vehicle mazloom because it was swevring to save a GADHA GARI
Gadha Gari was trying to save a DOG
DOG died bleeding, animal right activist chantting slogans Chief Justice ko Reha karoo, as if he is in prison,
@ Mr Shamsi
How can I bring up the issue of animal cruelty in a society where humans are treated and slaughtered as donkeys and chickens :(
Karachi needs a Traffic Revolution !
1) Which includes marking of Lanes in all major roads of city,
2) Increasing the salary for traffic personals!
3) Beg ANP to allow officials to ban old busses!
4) in driving test check if people know about rules instead of just asking them to park in a narrow lane!
5) Jail for one day, any public driver without a license.
Maybe after the development work eases , then The CDGK will try something on traffic!
Few of the people I know have been barging & dragging the TMO’s of the Karachi Towns virtually by belt, recommending / asking them to Get the lanes / roads painted for marking and introducing the idea of shoulder & hard shoulders,
Salutes to Senior Karachiite the aging Ardesher Cowasjee - I’m quiet inspired by his devotion towards WELL BEING of KARACHI.
the only dude who jumped 1st and grabbed the idea is - Wasay Jaleel of Gulshan Town, completed roads and main arteries of Gulshan are with cat eyes and road markings, came IN the DHA I & DHA II (malir cantt) next.
Nazim of Bahadurabad is also paying due attention and Nazim of Gulberg Town is quiet instrumental but unfortunately 70% of major arteries & roads in his jurisdication are under development.
The Saddar Town - The Largest of TOWN is yet behind in trems of %age of functional road lights, traffic lights and road markings.
Please offer your TOWN Input for such traffic short comings so the silent readers take up the matters WELL
TM will 2nd my observation for Gulshan & Bahadurabad, correct me if I’m wrong please,
I always try and locate a beacon in dark, and there always is —
heheeh bati ke pechay chal para …peshawer pohnach gaya :)
a good and thoughtful post.
Sure the pic is edited….Note the maroon cars, not only exactly the same but also u can see distorted half of it just behind the Rickshaw..Plus the 3 white Alto appears to be the same in a row..(see the same hand in each of these three), the grey-green suzuki highroof…appearing 2.5 times, with the same hand..and the grey car as well..god!! this is pathetic..Thanks Ali…it was a fun picking out these, once u mentioned .
The picture is DEFINITELY edited.. Though cleverly, but if you look at it closely — as I did after some other mbloggers pointed out — it’s sloppy editing..
Gulshan town is still under construction after 1 year and no deadlines are given. University Road is a mess with roads being ripped from Jail Chowrangi till Old Sabzi Mandi. Why don’t they complete one project and then start another?
Road behind National Stadium (from KDA Officers Colony to Block 17) digged without notice and no sign (of construction or diversion) were placed, which resulted in severe traffic jam in the vicinity. A common observation is that roads are not carpeted properly and heaps of debris is left behind.
well ! Kashif !
The delay in the University road and Kashmir road (KDA officers Lawn) is due to the fact that the project is very lengthy !!
Does anyone know why it was dig up ??
Ans: It was dig up to insert a pipeline starting from old Sabzi mandi and ending all the way up to Clifton !!
so the delay can be justified!
plus Utility line is also being moved !
As for the picture !
it is funny ! why did anyone ever edit it !?!
also a very bad editing once u take note!! he could have atleast changed the inner view of the cars doubled ! and also ! look at the lower left corner ! Bolan is is practically half way into that maroon car ! :D
Majority of us in Pakistan have a problem with following a structured and mannered approach. This goes to the planning & enforcement stages, and not at performance and due diligence.