A comprehensive traffic master plan to regulate the vehicular traffic during next 20-25 years is imperative and in this connection traffic police and all other allied departments must collaborate to give viable suggestions in addition to the provision of necessary infrastructure and legal cover.
Addressing a meeting of the business community in Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI), Sardar Muhammad Asif Khan Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) said that the district administration headed by Deputy Commissioner (DC) Muhammad Ali is making serious efforts to resolve the structural problems. He told that just few days ago deputy commissioner had a meeting with local parliamentarians. This meeting had unanimously requested Punjab government to release funds for the completion of Kashmir underpass and most delayed Parking Plaza on Mayor Road. CTO underlined the problematic issues and warned that the situation will further aggravate if immediate remedial measures were not taken to remove the irritants during next 5 years. He also mentioned the need for an efficient and modern public transport system, provision of parking plazas, installation of cameras and permanent removal of encroachments from roads.
He said that traffic police is visible because of its uniform at all points and hence responsibility for all road related issues is being put on it. "Actually the traffic problems are multi-departmental and other departments including Faisalabad Development Anteriority (FDA), Traffic Engineering & Planning Agency (TEPA and Faisalabad Municipal Cooperation (FMC) are equally responsible for smooth movement of the vehicular traffic", he told and added that he has taken over the charge of the CTO last month on November 11 and his first step was to ensure the presence of traffic wardens on their specific points of duty. He told that the strength of traffic police is only 1042 which are quite insufficient to control the heavy influx of traffic on city roads.
He termed Faisalabad as one of the most congested urban cater of Pakistan. "The increase in population coupled with migration of industrial workers has increased pressure on city roads", he said and added that number of vehicles have also increased manifold while encroachments have almost crippled the smooth flow of traffic.
He told that only one parking plaza on Mayor Road is under construction while he has particularly pointed out specific spaces for parking outside the down town area. He told that outside Montgomery bazaar, the railway land and godowns of food departments could be used for parking of vehicles. He said that Katchery bazaar is the posh bazaar of Faisalabad and he has tried his optimum best to ensure smooth traffic flow in it by eliminating right side parking with the cooperation of local business leaders. "We shall also try to contain the venders to remain within 5 feet agreed limit in Jhang bazaar", he said.
Regarding traffic signals, he told that there are total 27 traffic signals in the city, out of which 20-21 are in working condition while remaining are out of order. Similarly another 6-7 signals should be immediately installed in important and most congested points to regulate the traffic. He told that he had already launched a campaign for motorcycle drivers to wear helmets as more than 70 percent casualties have been reported due to head injuries. He told that petrol pumps owners have also been requested to refuse refueling motorcycles unless its drivers start wearing helmets. He further told that traffic police is not revenue generating authority. "Our objective is to Challan in order to check and discourage rampant traffic violations", however, he told that the motorway police has increased amount of fine on traffic violation. "Similarly the traffic police should also enhance fines as a deterrent", he suggested.
Sardar further told that the licensing system had been made transparent and corruption free.
"Traffic Driving Permits are now being issued purely on merit", he claimed. He said that corruption has been discouraged at all levels and this campaign will continue on permanent basis.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2019
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