Days after the Punjab government decided in principle to ban motorcycle rickshaws the Rawalpindi district administration has come up with a strategy to eliminate the three-wheelers from the city.
According to sources, in the first phase, the motorcycle rickshaw manufacturing units will be sealed immediately and in the second phase, motorcycle rickshaws will be completely banned from being used as a means of public transport and loading vehicle.
Talking to The Express Tribune, a senior officer of the district administration, who requested not to be named, said following the directives of the Punjab government, the Rawalpindi district administration has formulated a plan to eliminate motorcycle rickshaws from across the district.
“Under the plan, the Regional Transport Authority, City Traffic Police, Special Branch and District Police teams are being formed,” he said. “These teams will be empowered to take action against motorcycle rickshaw manufacturing units across the district,” he added.
Delving into the details, he said in the first instance, the district administration will submit a comprehensive report to the Punjab government regarding the preparation of the motorcycle rickshaw units.
“All such manufacturing units have been declared illegal by the Punjab government,” he said. “The district administration with the help of police and other agencies will search for such units and compile a list for onward submission to the Punjab government, he added.
In the second phase, the district officer said, motorcycle rickshaws will be banned as public transport and loading vehicles across the district, under which various routes will be closed with the help of the police. “Any motorcycle rickshaw entering the route will be impounded at the police station and heavy fines will be imposed on the drivers,” he said.
Read: Ban on motorcycle rickshaws announced
Motorcycle rickshaws are also being used as loading vehicles in various commercial areas of the city. The RTA staff will stop the loading of motorcycle rickshaws with the help of traffic police and action will be taken against violators, he said.
“It has been decided that soon after the announcement of the policy on motorcycle rickshaws by the Punjab government, action not only be taken against those who book motorcycle rickshaws for loading but also against those who load goods on these vehicles,” he said.
RTA Secretary Arshad Ali said: “We are bound by the policy of the Punjab government. The Punjab government is also formulating an alternative policy regarding the abolition of motorcycle rickshaws and its implementation will be started as soon as the policy is received.”
The district administration and transport authority have started searching for the manufacturing units in different areas but so far no such unit has been found in the district where motorcycle rickshaws are being manufactured. However, the action is on and as soon as a unit is found it will be sealed as per the orders of the Punjab government.
In the first phase, all such motorcycle rickshaws which are unregistered and used on a commercial basis will be eliminated and afterwards scope of action will be expanded to other motorcycle rickshaws which include both transport and loading rickshaws.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 7th, 2023.
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