By Abdulkareem Al-Diyabi

Okaz/Saudi Gazette

TAIF — Traffic congestion has become one of the major problems facing the Qamariya district in the summer resort of Taif. People have complained that most traffic bottlenecks in the district are caused by holes created by stalled development projects.

The closure of a vital intersection, narrow entrance of the district and the opening of a new private school at the entrance are other reasons for the traffic jam, said residents who urged the authorities to find a quick solution to the problem.

Residents blamed the municipality and the traffic department for the problem. They called for expanding the district’s entrance, establish an efficient flood and rainwater management system, solve environment pollution and implement new development projects.

Mohammed Al-Zahrani accused digging works for traffic congestion on the roads in Qamariya, especially in the morning and afternoon hours when government employees and students go to and return from their offices and schools.

He held the municipality and the traffic department responsible for the traffic bottlenecks. “We call upon authorities to complete stalled development projects, reopen the closed intersection and fill the holes created for projects,” he said while speaking to Okaz/Saudi Gazette.

According to Mohammed Al-Zahrani, the opening of a new private school at the entrance of the district has complicated the issue. “We, the residents of Qamariya, find it difficult to enter and exit from the district due to the presence of parents at the entrance of the school,” he said.

Abdulaziz Al-Humaidi said the digging works at the district’s entrance has caused a big traffic problem in the last four months. “Rainfalls have further complicated the issue with floods inundating the district’s streets and creating swamps,” he added.

Saleh Al-Rouqi raised another major issue. “The closure of Khaled Bin Al-Waleed Street has intensified traffic congestion. It has resulted in the closure of most streets in Qamariya.”

For Saleh Al-Harthi the lack of a wide entrance is the main reason for the traffic congestion. The opening of the school near the entrance further complicated the problem. He called for a special committee to look into the problems facing the district.

Al-Harthi stressed the need to complete the bridge project on Ghazali Street to ensure the smooth flow of traffic during flooding. The committee should consider shifting the school to another place.

Al-Humaidi said Qamariya residents could not find parking space for their cars as a result of narrow roads. “We also face environment pollution due to accumulation of waste, which spreads a nasty smell and serves as breeding grounds for disease-carrying mosquitoes.” He urged the municipality to solve the problems facing Qamariya. “The traffic department must take immediate steps to end traffic congestion in the district,” he added.