KARACHI, Nov 7: Sindh transport minister Adil Siddiqi has directed the DIG traffic and concerned departments not to issue fitness certificates without checking vehicles.

He directed that implementation of rules concerning public transport fitness be ensured so that environmental pollution is controlled and secured commuting facilities are provided to the people.

He issued these directives while taking suo moto notice of lacking facilities in public transport plying in the city.

The minister said he had observed that most vehicles plying in the city do not commensurate with the fitness standard and smoke emitting vehicles are an example to this.

He said interior conditions of buses, mini-buses and coaches are not such whereby commuters could travel in a peaceful and comfortable atmosphere.

He also referred to broken glasses, dirty seats and occupation of female compartment by men.

Adil Siddiqi warned the transporters to pay attention to fitness of their vehicles and avoid bringing vehicles on roads which do not meet the laid down standard requirements.

He asked the DIG traffic to ensure this aspect and initiate strict action against those

vehicles which do have fitness certificates, but the vehicles do not meet the fitness requirement.

The minister said he wants to give a pollution-free environment to citizens. He said a major portion of pollution can be cleared by controlling industrial and traffic pollution.

He said it has also come to his knowledge that in many coaches the diesel spray inside coaches and mini-buses is not dried up when these are brought on roads in the morning and as a result, the passengers, particularly women and children, receive injuries. He said this needs to be checked.—APP