ISLAMABAD: The National Highway Authority (NHA) in collaboration with the government of Punjab on Friday has decided to check exorbitant prices of food items being sold in shops, restaurants and markets alongside motorways and national highways.

Under the decision, senior officials of NHA will be given magisterial powers to check these prices.

The decision was taken in a meeting jointly chaired by caretaker Chief Minister (Punjab) Mohsin Naqvi and Federal Minister for Communication Asad Mehmood, in view of longstanding demands and complaints of commuters regarding unbridled prices in service areas and rest areas along motorways.

A senior official of the authority told Dawn that magisterial powers will be given to officials with ranks of deputy director, director and general manager.

Decision to delegate magisterial powers to NHA officers taken

He said the NHA has been receiving complaints for a long time regarding high prices in outlets along motorway and highways but was helpless to take action because district administrations were also reluctant to send their magistrates on motorways and highways.

“Now, when magisterial powers are being delegated to NHA officials, the authority will be able to check prices there,” he added.

Meanwhile, an official press release said the important meeting decided to assign powers like that of magistrate to the senior officers of NHA with the sole objective of controlling price hike of food items provided at service areas and rest areas located along motorways and the national highways network.

The meeting was also attended by federal secretary communications, chief secretary Punjab, chairman P&D, additional chief secretary home, NHA member finance and other senior officers.

The meeting agreed to undertake strict measures to control axle load limit for protection of the NHA network.

Chief Minister (Punjab) Syed Mohsin Naqvi issued orders to the provincial transport department to ensure implementation of rules and regulations for controlling axle load limit to avoid overloading strictly.

The meeting considered a proposal to launch coordinated operation for removal of encroachments on both sides of the Grand Trunk Road. It was further discussed in the meeting that the provincial government will start a comprehensive operation soon for removal of encroachments.

Mr Asad Mahmood, on this occasion, emphasised the need for speedy issuance of vehicle fitness certificates in a better way. “Such steps of the Punjab government will help stop travelling of unfit vehicles on national highways,” he added.

The federal minister said: “Our endeavour is to provide all possible travelling and civic amenities to users of motorways and national highways. We are determined to provide environment-friendly motorways and national highways to travellers.

“Necessary measures were underway to control accidents on roads and provide people a safe and sound journey.”

The caretaker CM assured the federal minister that the Punjab government would extend all possible cooperation during construction of Muzaffar Garh-Mianwali MM Road.

The chief minister Punjab commended efforts of NHA for keeping the road network in good condition. Mr Mahmood also appreciated the active role of the Punjab government in solving the problems of people.

Published in Dawn, April 1st, 2023