Traffic management: Twin cities’ cops, admin given 48 hours to devise plan

Nisar bans traffic wardens from using cell phones while on duty

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad and Rawalpindi police have been given just 48 hours by Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan to come up with a comprehensive plan to manage traffic and ease congestion on the roads of the twin cities.

A complete ban on the use of mobile phones by traffic wardens during their duty hours were also ordered.

Talking to participants of the meeting which also included the mayor of Rawalpindi, Nisar advised elected representatives and senior officers of the administration and the police of the two cities to personally monitor the traffic and security situation.

The minister said that it was unfortunate that senior officers remain in their offices and thus remain unaware of the on-ground situation resulting in miseries of the general public due to various issues.

He ordered officials to devise a comprehensive traffic plan within the next 48 hours for the twin cities under the supervision of AIG Operations Islamabad and RPO Rawalpindi to manage the traffic.

In this regard, he directed that the focus should be on resolving traffic related issues on main thoroughfares of the twin cities such as Kashmir Highway, Islamabad Express way, Blue Area and Faizabad-Convention road in Islamabad and Murree Road, Peshawar Road, Airport Road and Rawal Road in Rawalpindi.

Later, the scope of the plan could be broadened to include other arteries of the twin cities.

The plan should be further scrutinised by the respective chief commissioners of Islamabad and Rawalpindi before implementing it within a week.

Moreover, Nisar ordered the traffic police to coordinate with NADRA and utilise the Safe City Project for monitoring and regulating of traffic on various main roads.

Taking notice of frequent traffic violations, the minister ordered that no laxity should be shown by the traffic officials and ordered Islamabad and Rawalpindi police to ensure on-spot fines in case of traffic violations.

Nisar also called on officials to resolve the issue of irregular parking, especially in commercial areas.

The ICT administration was directed to establish modern toll plazas at Faizabad and Kashmir Highway.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 1^st, 2017.