RUSTING FLEET: Punjab’s recently acquired ‘Suthra’ medical vehicles remain abandoned near the District Courts Complex in Rawalpindi, where prolonged exposure to bad weather and suspected theft of parts are said to have pushed several units towards disrepair. PHOTOS: EXPRESS
RAWALPINDI:
Newly acquired sanitation vehicles under the ‘Suthra Punjab’ cleanliness initiative were allegedly left in the open for the past one and a half years near Pothohar Town Office and Facilitation Center of District Courts Complex, leading to extensive deterioration and alleged theft of parts.
The vehicles – including loaders, carts, tractors and small utility vehicles – have reportedly suffered damage from rust and paint fading due to prolonged exposure to heavy rain and intense sun.
Officials and local sources said the lack of security in the evening and night also led to suspected thefts of tires, spare parts and seats from several vehicles.
According to the complaints, many vehicles are now on the verge of becoming unusable after being parked and unattended for an extended period of time. Despite repeated complaints, the competent authorities reportedly took no action.
Complaints were also lodged with the Suthra Punjab Authority (SPA), but concerns over vehicle safety and maintenance reportedly remained unaddressed.
Sources said groups frequenting the court after sunset started stealing spare parts from parked vehicles.
Pothohar city administration officials said the vehicles did not belong to their department and had merely been stored near their offices.
Meanwhile, the SPA said the vehicles would be commissioned from the new fiscal year starting July and deployed across Rawalpindi division wherever required.
The authorities maintained that the vehicles were currently surplus to the needs of the city of Rawalpindi and had therefore been temporarily parked at the site.
