Just saw the news on TV that dozens of cars bumbed into each other on Motorway near Sheikupura, resulting in the death of 6 people. I am thinking, 'is there something wrong with this progress' or 'is there something wrong with our Motorway', or 'is this project not properly managed'.

The first thought relates to whether these mishaps some as a part n parcel with progress. When I say this, I don't mean it specifically in the case of Pakistan. I know of many instances where Fast Speed Motorways and Speed Trains are developed in the name of progress in many western countries, but just as these development projects provide time saving, the accidents (whenever they occur), on these tracks are much more devestating. So should we go for all this or just keep our pace slow, is the question to ask.

The second point is questioning the projects development from the technical stand-point. I have heard many stories about this Motorway not being technically at par with international standards. The most objectionable being the Kalar-Kahar salt mines area. There are so many curves and highs and lows on that 10 km stretch, which is unheard of on Motorways internationally. A motorway is supposed to be as straight as possible and as leveled as possible. By this I do not mean that it is supposed to be a straight line with no highs and lows at all, but what it essentially means is that while driving, a driver should not feel any sort of immediate curves and steep areas. Which is clearly not the case in our Motorway. Secondly, I have personally observed many cracks and the side lanes of Motorways settling down compared to the right (fast) lanes. That again shows a compromise in quality.

The last issue is about the education of masses. Although Motorway police has done a brilliant job in changing the mindset of an average driver, but I feel the drivers traveling on the Motorway are still not at par with the level of education they need to have before going on the Motorway. I have seen drivers not giving proper attention to wearing the Seat Belts and speeding to show off. So much so, even the heavy traveling vehicles, especially the coaches and vans are driving at top speeds, some times breaking the speed limit of 110 for HTVs. All this ends up in putting the lives of not only theirs but also others at risk.