KARACHI, July 25: Traffic police have impounded more than 1,300 vehicles of public transport during its campaign against the violation of route permits, which was launched on July 20.
“We have initiated the campaign in view of frequent traffic jams especially at Empress Market in Saddar and some other places as we feel that those buses, minibuses and coaches are also entering the crowded places which have not been allowed,” DIG Traffic Yameen Khan told Dawn on Friday.
He said the traffic police started checking route permits in different areas and impounded 1,337 buses, minibuses and coaches in five days.
“We have sent them to impound-yard and released thereafter on showing receipt that the driver of the vehicle concerned has deposited the fine,” he added.
He observed that some of the operators had again started plying their vehicles in violation of route permits.
However, he noted that overall a decline had been witnessed in violating route permits. The campaign continues to take action against violators.
Another campaign against those drivers, driving without licence, Public Service Vehicle (PSV) badge, and against smoke- emitting vehicles would be launched in the days to come, Mr Khan said.
He said the PSV badge was mandatory for every public vehicle driver to possess. In absence of licence, a fine of Rs300 and in absence of PSV badge, another fine of Rs300 would be imposed on a driver.
Mr Khan said that license was acceptable from any part of the country. However, he said, drivers must have the PSV badge issued from the city.
Before issuing PSV badge, all particulars of a driver were obtained including his permanent and temporary address, so that if he escaped from the scene of accident, he could be traced on basis of his given particulars for which the police maintained a record of Public Service Vehicle badge holders, he added.
Earlier, the traffic police launched a campaign on June 6, and impounded a number of buses, minibuses and coaches for playing tape recorders and failing to separate women’s compartment in their vehicles.
The validity of fitness certificates of these vehicles was suspended and their drivers were fined.
The campaign has yielded positive results and most of the buses, minibuses and coaches had separated women’s compartments in their vehicles, he claimed.
