RAWALPINDI: Traffic officials have been deployed at the city’s entry points to monitor heavy vehicles, specifically between 11pm and 6am, to prevent traffic congestion.

Like always, police used different tactics to ensure that the flow of traffic remained uninterrupted but they always seemed helpless because of mushrooming encroachments.

“The City Traffic Police would not be successful unless encroachments on roads and footpaths were cleared by authorities concerned,” a senior traffic official told Dawn.

During a meeting of senior officials, it was also decided that special squads will be formed to monitor violation of parking rules in congested areas and outside commercial markets.

Special squads formed to check violation of road rules

Special squads have been formed and additional personnel deployed to maintain traffic flow in Commercial Market, Sadiqabad, Adiala Road, Chakri Road, Raja Bazaar and adjoining areas.

Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Naveed Irshad issued strict orders to all in-charges of their respective circles that they would be responsible for wrong parking, violation of one way, action against underage and unlicenced drivers and other traffic matters.

If there was a problem of traffic violation in any circle, notices will be issued to the circle in-charge concerned, he said, adding that all circle in-charges would be in touch with all stakeholders including transporters, traders and school and college administrations and would operate on a daily basis in collaboration with the agencies concerned to maintain flow of traffic.

Traffic problems must be eliminated with teamwork and performance reports must be sent to traffic headquarters on a daily basis, CTO Irshad said.

Meanwhile, in order to provide equal opportunities to all traffic staff, police have decided to replace traffic wardens who have completed their tenure with others (duty officers) and sought their applications in this regard.

The CTO has called for applications for the post of duty officers in all sectors, including tehsils of traffic police, after completion of their tenure.

Applications have been called for new appointments of duty officers in 12 sectors of the city including six tehsils. Officers will be posted in the sectors after undergoing an interview.

The wardens will be interviewed regularly and selected through a point system so that traffic wardens with good reputation and competence are appointed duty officers, Mr Irshad said, adding that those with the ability to maintain consistency in their work, resolve grievances and deal with emergencies would be given points.

He said the staff who had completed their tenure would be transferred in stages.

Published in Dawn, April 28th, 2022