LAHORE: Inspector General of Punjab Police retired Capt Arif Nawaz Khan has given the go-ahead to constitute a “Shaheen Force” on the pattern of the Dolphin [Force] to address chronic traffic problems in the city.

Since the prime purpose of the project was to bring about some [permanent] solution to vehicular mess in the provincial capital, the IGP directed the traffic police to re-submit a detailed working paper on the scheme.

An official privy to the information said that the provincial capital had been experiencing worst traffic congestion, particularly at major arteries including The Mall, Jail Road, Lahore Canal, Davies Road etc.

A series of protests [recently] and parking outside the education institutions worsened the situation making the motorists to wait for hours on city roads, he said.

Fresh hiring, shortlisted wardens will constitute Shaheen Force

Consequently, the City Traffic Police drafted the initial proposal, stating that it has decided to raise a new force on the pattern of the Dolphin police with the collaboration of the Turkish police.

He said the department would procure high-tech motorbikes to use them for quick response to traffic congestion in the city.

Initially, the official said, it had planned procurement of some 600 motorbikes for the proposed “Shaheen Force.”

The traffic department has divided the provincial capital into total 296 beats and one bike will be stationed at each beat.

According to the proposed plan, the uniform for officials of the Shaheen Force would be different to [that of] the traffic wardens.

The department has shortlisted traffic wardens to put them on the strength of the new force.

“The hiring of the new blood for the force is also on the cards,” he said adding that the officials would be equipped with wireless sets and with public address system.

The Turkish experts would also be part of the new force during initial stages in order to impart training to the [shortlisted] wardens, he said.

The IGP, after having a detailed briefing, has sought from traffic police authorities [the] estimated financial implication of the project.

Published in Dawn, October 26th, 2017