The Economic Co-ordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet has directed a committee, headed by Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission, to formulate transport and trucking policy, within a week's time. Presided over by Finance Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, the ECC had taken this decision in its meeting on January 3, 2012.
Official documents available with Business Recorder show that the ECC in its meeting on April 26, 2011, on a summary submitted by the Ministry of Commerce, had constituted a committee, under the chairmanship of Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission, to review the issues pertaining to transport policy, and furnish its recommendations to the ECC. It also had made the following observations: (a) the country is losing Rs 10 billion to Rs 15 billion per annum on use of single-axle trucks. The amount should be saved by adopting remedial measures; (b) import of CNG cars and buses should not be allowed due to shortage of gas in the country; and (c) there is a dire need for a long-term transport policy.
The documents further showed that a meeting of the committee was held on May 6, 2011, and it observed that damage to roads was not caused by single-axle trucks but by overloading of trucks. There is a need to improve the mechanism to prohibit overloading.
It was also observed that CNG cars and buses must be treated separately, and sharp increase in tariff on CNG kits for cars must be implemented. The committee maintained that dedicated CNG buses for public transport may be allowed as the Advisor to Prime Minister on Petroleum & Natural Resources argued that CNG could be provided through dedicated CNG stations. To this end, an already approved project for CNG dedicated buses, sponsored by Ministry of Environment, may become operational if CNG is allowed.
Additionally, certain dedicated CNG buses imported by some private investors lying at KPT and waiting for clearance of customs due to settlement of Original Equipment Manufacturing (OEM) issue could also be allowed for public transport in case CNG is available. The committee also recommended that a draft comprehensive transport policy, prepared by the Ministry of Communications, be considered under NTC Task Force, headed by Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission.
Some members of the committee suggested that the concept of 'Transport Policy' may be broadened, subject to the consideration of the NTC Task Force for Transport Sector Reforms. During ensuing discussion, it was stated that there was no check on the truck load which is the major cause of deterioration of road network. It was stated that there is a need to install weighing bridges on all important entry points of major roads and any truck carrying excess load should be heavily fined. The ECC was informed that transport policy has already been prepared and ready for submission to the ECC. It was also stated that, besides transport policy, there is also a need for proper trucking policy and for giving a long-term roadmap to the transporters.
The ECC was also apprised that a trucking policy was framed in 2008 and its recommendations were deliberated upon. There were some good proposals in that policy and the same may also be considered before formulation of transport policy. After detailed discussion, the ECC decided that a committee, comprising Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission (Convenor) and Secretaries, Ministries of Communications, Commerce and Industries should formulate Transport and Trucking Policies within two weeks and submit the same to the ECC. Simultaneously, a compliance report may also be furnished to the Cabinet Secretary.