Anjeela Kaynat:Â
Quetta, once a city known for its peaceful ambiance, now faces an escalating traffic crisis. Every day, thousands of commuters endure hours of gridlock, navigating congested roads, reckless drivers, and deteriorating infrastructure. From rickshaws and motorcycles to private cars, the overwhelming number of vehicles clogs major roads, while encroachments and illegal parking worsen the situation.
The city’s transport system is on the brink of collapse, demanding immediate intervention from both authorities and residents. This article explores the root causes of Quetta’s traffic woes, identifies the most affected areas, and outlines urgent solutions to restore order to the roads.
The Strain on Quetta’s Road Infrastructure
Quetta’s road network, originally designed during the colonial era, was never intended to accommodate the city’s rapid population growth and rising number of vehicles. Although the city was rebuilt after the 1935 earthquake, its road capacity has remained largely unchanged, struggling to support over 1.2 million residents and the thousands of vehicles added each year.
Key roads such as Jinnah Road, Sariab Road, Liaquat Bazaar, Masjid Road, and Zarghoon Road have become perpetual bottlenecks, choked by illegal encroachments, unregulated parking, and an ever-increasing number of vehicles. Without a structured urban transport model, these roads remain gridlocked, affecting daily life and economic activity.
Major Traffic Challenges in Quetta
Severe Congestion on Key Roads
Traffic congestion is worst in commercial hubs such as Liaquat Bazaar, Masjid Road, Jinnah Road, and Zarghoon Road, where vehicles move at a snail’s pace during peak hours. With no alternative routes or bypasses, all traffic is funneled through these roads, causing massive delays. Key intersections, including Balochistan University Chowk, Meezan Chowk, and Prince Road, frequently experience severe traffic jams.
The Surge of Non-Custom Paid (NCP) and Unregistered Vehicles
The unchecked influx of non-custom paid (NCP) and unregistered vehicles has compounded the traffic crisis. A 2010 report estimated over 50,000 NCP vehicles on Balochistan’s roads, causing an annual revenue loss of Rs 15 billion to the national exchequer. By 2024, this number has surged to nearly 80,000, with a significant concentration in Quetta (Excise and Taxation Department, 2024).
Despite periodic crackdowns, including the 2023 seizure of 115 NCP vehicles worth Rs 982 million (ARY News, 2023), enforcement efforts have failed to stem the tide. Quetta’s traffic police estimate that 40% of vehicles in the city are either unregistered or NCP (Think Transportation, 2023), worsening congestion and lawlessness on the roads.
Lack of a Proper Public Transport System
Unlike other major cities in Pakistan, Quetta lacks an organized public transport system. With no buses or mass transit options, residents rely on rickshaws, motorcycles, and private cars, further clogging the roads. Over 50,000 rickshaws operate within the city, creating congestion in already packed areas like Masjid Road and Liaquat Bazaar (Traffic Survey: Quetta Smart and Safe City, 2023).
Although the government has revisited the Quetta Mass Transit Train project, financial constraints have delayed its execution, leaving residents without an efficient alternative to private transport.
Encroachments and Illegal Parking Worsen Congestion
Unauthorized stalls and illegal parking occupy nearly 30% of road space in busy commercial zones such as Prince Road and Jinnah Road (Think Transportation, 2023). Street vendors set up shop on sidewalks, forcing pedestrians onto the roads, while shopkeepers extend their businesses onto public spaces, further restricting traffic flow.
Deteriorating Road Conditions
Over 60% of Quetta’s roads are in disrepair, riddled with potholes, cracks, and poor drainage systems (INRIX, 2024). Roads such as Joint Road, Sariab Road, Sabzal Road, and Nawa Killi are among the worst affected. During rainfall, flooding exacerbates the problem, making navigation nearly impossible.
A tragic reminder of Balochistan’s road infrastructure crisis occurred in 2024, when a bus plunged into a ravine in Washuk district due to poor road conditions. Despite promises of road improvements, delays in infrastructure projects continue to endanger commuters.
Weak Traffic Management and Enforcement
A lack of proper traffic regulation has led to frequent violations, reckless driving, and rising accidents. With an inadequate number of traffic police officers on the roads, many drivers ignore basic rules—running red lights, driving on the wrong side, and engaging in dangerous maneuvers.
Although the Balochistan government announced plans to build flyovers and underpasses in 2024 to ease congestion, financial setbacks have stalled these projects (Balochistan Express, 2024).
Practical Solutions to Fix Quetta’s Traffic Woes
To address Quetta’s worsening traffic crisis, a multi-faceted approach is needed, combining road expansion, better enforcement, and public transport development. Here are some key solutions:
1. Road Expansion and Maintenance
• Widen key roads such as Masjid Road, Jinnah Road, and Zarghoon Road to accommodate growing traffic.
• Improve drainage systems to prevent road damage and flooding.
2. Regulating Non-Custom Paid Vehicles
• Enforce stricter measures to curb the influx of NCP vehicles.
• Introduce policies to register or phase out unregistered vehicles.
3. Establishing a Public Transport System
• Launch a city bus service to provide an affordable alternative to private cars.
• Develop dedicated bus lanes to improve efficiency and reduce congestion.
4. Regulating Rickshaws and Motorcycles
• Implement route-based restrictions for rickshaws to prevent congestion in commercial hubs.
• Create designated parking areas for rickshaws and motorcycles.
5. Strengthening Traffic Law Enforcement
• Deploy more traffic police officers to ensure compliance with traffic rules.
• Impose heavier fines and penalties on reckless drivers.
6. Removing Encroachments and Illegal Parking
• Conduct regular operations to clear roads of unauthorized stalls and illegally parked vehicles.
• Establish alternative vending zones to prevent the return of street vendors.
7. Traffic Awareness and Public Education
• Launch awareness campaigns to educate citizens on traffic rules and road safety.
• Integrate basic traffic education into school curriculums to instill discipline in future generations.
Call to Action: A Collective Responsibility
Every day, Quetta’s residents face the frustration of endless traffic jams, reckless drivers, and poorly managed roads. Yet, the problem persists—not just because of weak governance, but because of collective negligence.
Authorities must act swiftly to expand roads, enforce traffic laws, and implement public transport reforms. Citizens, too, have a role to play—by obeying traffic rules, avoiding illegal parking, and discouraging encroachments. Without a united effort, Quetta’s traffic woes will only worsen, jeopardizing the city’s economy, safety, and quality of life.
Quetta stands at a turning point. The time to act is now—before the crisis spirals beyond control.
