KARACHI, Aug 22: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad has called for effective measures to check road accidents and ensure disciplined and smooth flow of traffic. He also issued directive for taking special measures for bringing pedestrians into a system so that their safety while crossing roads could be ensured.

Dr Ibad was chairing a meeting at the Governor’s House on Monday where the progress made in connection with the observance of 2005 as ‘Road Safety Year’ was reviewed.

Dr Ibad stressed that Sharea Faisal be made a model thoroughfare and called for making the required arrangements. In this regard, he asked for fixing grills along Sharea Faisal and constructing upper passes for pedestrians. “A meaningful progress be achieved within a month,” he told the meeting.

On the occasion, the governor gave approval in principle to the plans for the installation of 20 close-circuit cameras along Sharea Faisal and establishment of an integrated control room for effective traffic monitoring.

He said that crossing of the Sharea from various places should be discouraged.

Reviewing the progress made towards outsourcing of vehicle fitness system, he directed that commercial vehicles be brought under this system in the first phase and other vehicles in the next. The meeting was informed that a traffic awareness programme was being introduced in various schools from Sept 1 whereas signboards showing speed limits at various points would be installed with the cooperation of multinational companies.

Dr Ibad told the meeting that the government should take the advantage of FM radio in airing information about traffic jams.—APP