Prompt action by the National Highways and Motorway Police, Central Zone averted a possible disaster after an oil-tanker carrying 40,000-litre petrol overturned near Sahiwal on Lahore-Multan national highway on Sunday night. It is learnt an oil tanker No E-1649 of Pakistan State Oil carrying 40-thousand-liter petrol overturned in verge as its driver had fallen to sleep, a case of dozing at wheel. The Motorway Police patrolling mobile reached on scene immediately and cordoned off the whole area and diverted the traffic on the alternative routes.
The petrol spilled onto the vast area along the main road. DIG Motorway Police Mirza Faran Baig supervised all rescue operation until road clear while Sector Commander SSP Masroor Alam Kolachi reached immediately on the scene and lead the emergency activities.
The affected track of national highway was closed for five hours while traffic was diverted to alternative routes. Motorway Police communicated all relevant agencies for their concerned action. It is important to mention here that the driver of oil tanker clearly violated the SOP as he was driving alone without relevant document from Karachi to Shaikhpura. Oil tanker must carry two drivers with all its relevant documents and follow the OGRA manual.