In a drive against unregistered motorcycles and auto-rickshaws, the City Traffic Police have taken 875 such vehicles into custody during the past one week.
Traffic Headquarters Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Asghar Marwat told The Express Tribune that a total of 315 auto-rickshaws and 560 motorcycles have been taken into custody. He said there are a total of 40,000 rickshaws and motorcycles operating in the city, of which about 50 per cent are unregistered or lack permits. These vehicles are the main cause of frequent traffic jams in the city, he added.
The DSP said the drive was initially launched to crack down on those rickshaw operators who were not conforming to the colour-scheme and shift rules that the traffic police set for them. He said the rickshaw operators without permits were allowed to operate in two shifts, but most of them did no follow the shift system. These operators will be fined Rs5,000 each for the violation.
Marwat said that under the Supreme Court ruling, auto-rickshaws older than 1985 model are not allowed to operate in the city. He said these rickshaws have been painted red and are taken into custody whenever caught plying in the city limits.
Moreover, of the motorcycles taken into custody, a majority were unregistered or had fake police and press number plates, said the DSP. He said that three FIRs have been registered against the owners who had fake number plates.
“Everyone knows how severe is the problem of traffic jams in the city, which is why we are taking such strict measures,” Marwat said. In parallel to the crackdown, the traffic police have introduced a public-friendly policing culture aimed at creating awareness among the masses about traffic rules and road safety, he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 22nd, 2012.
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