KOHAT’s district government has adapted a much awaited but still inchoate plan for management of the city, including traffic. The traffic situation has not adapted to accommodate the city’s growing population, including the huge influx of IDP’s from Fata. Unfortunately, due to a lack of coordination or consensus among political leadership and the district administration, there are many flaws in the implementation of their new traffic policy.

Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) and advanced public transport system are the need of the hour. This is a communication and information technology designed platform to improve traffic congestion, enhance transportation efficiency, reduce fuel consumption, environmental damage, and improve public health and safety. Such systems are, to some degree, already in place in other metropolitan areas in Pakistan.

The government needs an Advanced Traffic Management System in KP’s more populous cities and properly integrate all functions of traffic planning: police, government, excise, law, communications and information technology. Without delay, road infrastructure with proper street lights, drainage, pedestrian crossings, and CCTV cameras should be constructed and mapped using Geographical Information System technology.

Existing traffic safety rules must be implemented by ensuring transparency while issuing vehicle fitness certificates and driving licenses, and by fining those drivers who are unlicensed or break traffic rules.

Hasnain Khan

Kohat

Published in Dawn September 4th, 2016