KARACHI, Nov 30: The Sindh government is going to launch a drive against smoke-emitting vehicles and other traffic violations mainly by the drivers of commercial vehicles in the city.

Earlier, the traffic police on the directives of the provincial government had launched the drive many times against the commercial smoke-emitting vehicles but the government had to succumb to the pressure built up by the transport associations as they always observed indefinite strike.

In a statement issued here on Thursday, Sindh Transport Minister Adil Siddiqui said that the government had given many chances to transporters but they continued to violate traffic rules and regulations. He warned the transporters of stern action for violating traffic rules and road safety measures.

He directed the DIG traffic to take immediate action against smoke-emitting vehicles, overloading in buses, minibuses and coaches and presence of male commuters in female compartments.

The minister observed the slackness of traffic police officials in implementing the writ caused an increased level of noise and environment pollution besides the ratio of road traffic accidents.

He was of the view that the police officials had been directed to perform their duty in letter and spirit and action would be taken against them for negligence. Mr Siddiqui also warned the transporters of taking action without impunity if they would continue to violate traffic rules. He asserted that no pressure would be accepted and anyone found violating traffic rules would be arrested and the vehicle impounded.

The minister said these steps were being taken after receiving many complaints from citizens that transporters were violating rules and traffic police did not take notice of overloading, besides allowing male commuters to travel in female compartments.

Apart from citizens’ complaints, he recalled that a grace period of three months lapsed which was given by a court to transporters to improve fitness of their vehicles and engines so that smoke emission could be controlled.

The minister said that the government respected the verdict of the honourable court and it had no option left but to take 'stern action' to implement the court order..