CM takes steps to end traffic woes

Punjab Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi ordered the scrapping of daily traffic challan quotas across Punjab and assured traffic wardens that their performance would no longer be measured by a daily quota. Similarly, licensing centers in Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, Gujranwala and Rawalpindi will work in two shifts every day, while the licensing centre at Liberty Market in Lahore would work around-the-clock.

The CM issued these orders while chairing a meeting to review proposals to improve the traffic system on Tuesday. The meeting was attended by several key officials, including Provincial Information Minister Amir Mir, chief secretary, IGP, ACS (Home), secretary C&W, CCPO Lahore, DIG Traffic Punjab, COO of PSCA, commissioner and DC Lahore, CTO Lahore, secretary RTA Lahore and MD TEPA. The CM was informed that 370,000 vehicles and motorcycles are added to Lahore’s roads every year.

He announced that Gulberg, Mall Road, Jail Road and Ferozepur Road would be classified model roads and an effective management system would be introduced for the smooth flow of traffic. He added that special attention would be given to road engineering, while encroachments and other obstacles would be removed.

Additionally, the CM announced an outreach program for the issuance of driving licenses. Under the program, traffic police teams would visit colleges to conduct driving tests and issue licenses to qualified students. The students would also be regularly updated about traffic rules.

The CM also ordered a crackdown against meat sellers on Punjab’s roads.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 8^th, 2023.