NAUNDERO: New bus stand, costing Rs150.39 million of taxpayer’s money, remains unoccupied as transporters have refused to shift from the old bus stand creating traffic chaos for citizens. The Sindh government ordered construction of new bus stand near railway station to avoid traffic jam. The bus stand was constructed without feasibility study and consultation of the transport owners. After assassination of Benazir Bhutto, it was planned to construct a bus stand at the opposite side of Government Boys Degree College near Rice Canal. A Large number of PPP workers visit the city during the anniversaries of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto but the authorities had abandoned the scheme without any cogent reason. A huge budget was spent on a plot allegedly owned by influential people so that value of their other plots could be increased. The new stand is termed as unfeasible for locals as well as for foreigners and large amount of money has been wasted. Four months ago, former deputy commissioner Kashif Tipu ordered assistant commissioner Ghous Bux to shift the bus stand to the new locality but people staged a sit in against forcibly shifting the bus stand. The nuisance of Ching-chi rickshaws and donkey-carts has increased to an unbearable extent resulting in chaotic traffic jams and traffic police is not appointed to clear the traffic congestion. Moreover, Ching-chi rickshaws are banned by the apex court but police have not taken any action against them. During sugarcane sowing season, the main road from Naundero to Larkana is blocked as tractor trolleys, trucks, donkey and camel-carts, filled with sugarcane, are parked on both sides of the road. The people have to face embarrassment after they arrive late at their offices. Students and patients are the worst affected as they must reach schools and hospitals on time. Quarrels and brawls have become common between people but sugar mill authorities remain unconcerned. Civil society told Daily Times that the new bus stand has not reduced traffic jam as it was constructed without planning and feasibility study. They told that the population of the town has increased to 100,000 people whereas the bus stand is incapable to allow smooth flow of traffic. They said that streets and bazaars have become narrow due to encroachment by the land grabbers. They demanded inquiry into construction of the new bus stand and asked authorities to ensure smooth flow of traffic. Published in Daily Times, April 17th 2018.