PESHAWAR: The government will launch a crackdown on the buses and wagons operating on Peshawar roads, especially along the BRT route, without permits so as to overcome traffic congestion.

The decision was taken at a meeting held at the Commissioner’s House here, according to a press release.

MNA Shandana Gulzar, Minister for Excise Mian Khalilur Rahman, Minister for Higher Education Meena Khan Afridi, Chairman District Development Advisory Committee Sher Ali Afridi, MPA Fazal Ilahi, Commissioner Riaz Khan Mehsud, Secretary Excise Fayyaz Ali Shah, Peshawar Deputy Commissioner Sarmad Saleem, Director Transport Ahmad Kamal, Chief Traffic Police officer Saud Khan and other relevant officials were in attendance.

The meeting was convened in light of the directives issued by the chief minister for tackling traffic congestion in the provincial capital.

It was decided to immediately stop buses and wagons plying along the BRT route without permits and arrest their owners.

In this regard, the Peshawar Development Authority’s director general was tasked with submitting recommendations to address traffic congestion along the BRT route.

The participants also agreed to launch a crackdown on the public transport vehicles having installed substandard gas cylinders as it posed a threat to human lives.

It was decided that another meeting would be held next week to decide the fate of all the rickshaws plying without permits.

The transport department was directed to issue route permits to rickshaws operating in Peshawar.

The deputy commissioner and the chief traffic officer were asked to hold a meeting with the union of rickshaw drivers and take them into confidence about the government’s decision.

Published in Dawn, August 28th, 2024