KARACHI, Jan 24: Sindh Governor Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ibad has called for chalking out an effective line of action to bring an improvement in the city’s traffic system and to ensure action against drivers playing with human lives.
Presiding over a high-level meeting to review traffic- related matters at the Governor House on Friday, the governor said transporters be made to understand that they were providing service to the people but not at the cost of human life.
He said transport owners should have a control over their staff and observance of traffic laws and regulations be made binding on them.
The governor issued directives for a review of private token system for mini-buses and coaches. He was informed that under this system, the drivers get involved in rash and unsafe driving only to have more trips and to reach their specified terminals at the earliest possible time.
The governor directed that a transparent system be devised and a time be fixed for coaches and mini-buses to reach from their first to last stop. He said its implementation should be ensured.
He said besides the vehicle number at the rear, the telephone numbers be also conspicuously displayed so that in case of careless driving, the people could inform the officials concerned.
Dr. Ishrat also issued necessary instructions regarding speed governors, insurance, multi-storeyed parking, bridges for pedestrians besides inter-city transport stops.
Transport Minister Adil Siddiqi briefed the governor about details of his meeting with transporters and said they have decided to withdraw their strike call.
He said their demands regarding diesel prices would be communicated to the federal government.
He also informed the governor about other traffic improvement schemes.
The meeting considered the matter to approach the high court for setting up of special traffic courts.
The officials of city government’s transport department informed that during the tenure of Dr. Ishrat as transport minister, the KDA had allocated 18 plots for bus terminals and these plots were intact and would be developed for the purpose.
The meeting was attended, among others, Principal Secretary, Brig Akhtar Zamin, Transport Secretary, Raja Mohammed Abbas, DG Mass Transit, Zahirul Islam, EDO Transport Dr Tahir Soomro and others.—PPI
