Sethi asks to set up traffic system on modern lines

Punjab Chief Minister Najam Sethi has said there is a dire need to set up the whole traffic system on modern lines in order to rid the people of incessant traffic problems besides improving the flow of traffic. He directed that necessary steps should be taken to make traffic system more effective, for which traffic rules should be strictly implemented, while the traffic officials should deal with the citizens with courtesy, along with providing them necessary guidance about traffic rules.
He said besides arranging seminars at educational institutions, an effective strategy should also be adopted to apprise the general public of traffic rules. The Chief Minister was presiding over a high-level meeting at Chief Minister's Secretariat on Wednesday which various proposals were reviewed for overcoming traffic problems. Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Punjab, Secretary Excise and Taxation, Secretary Transport, Additional Inspector General Police, Additional Inspector General Traffic, District Co-ordination Officer Lahore, Chief Traffic Office Lahore, Managing Director TEPA and other concerned officials were present on the occasion.
Chief Minister Najam Sethi said that traffic problems can be resolved by following traffic rules which should be strictly implemented by the traffic officials. He directed that developing a software, in collaboration with Punjab Information Technology Board, regarding data of violation of traffic rules should be considered. He further directed that working capacity of driving license unit should be increased besides traffic police helpline 1915 should be made more effective, along with informing the people to get their complaints registered at the helpline.
He said the centres receiving challans documents should be further upgraded, and model centres should be established in this connection, along with computerising the process of receiving documents of challans. He said a report should also be submitted to convert traffic signals on solar power or rechargeable batteries. The Chief Minister directed that strict action should be taken against over-speeding vehicles during the night, while cameras should be installed, at important places, in order to take action against those violating traffic rules, and indulging in over-speeding.
Additional IG Traffic and City Traffic Officer Lahore gave a detailed briefing to the meeting on traffic system. CTO Sohail Chaudhry informed that 32 lakh cars and motorcycles are registered in Lahore, while complaints registered at helpline are immediately dealt with. He said learners driving licenses are being made through three mobile vans. He informed that a learner licensing booth has been established at Arfa Karim Software Technology Park, which remains open on Sunday as well. CTO briefed the participants of the meeting on traffic system of Lahore.