ABBOTTABAD, March 2: The traffic police have prepared a comprehensive plan and demanded additional force along with vehicles, fork-lifters, cranes and wireless sets to improve the traffic situation in the district.

According to an official of the traffic department, four overhead bridges will be constructed on the Karakoram Highway (KKH) as part of the proposed traffic plan, and the National Highways Authority (NHA) has already sanctioned bridges at the Ayub Medical Complex, Missile Chowk-Mandian, Supply Bazaar and Sarban Chowk.

Sub-divisional police officer, ASP Hammad told Dawn that the traffic plan had been prepared after consultation with local traders and transporters. He said that the proposal had been forwarded to the government for approval, adding that the new plan would be run on trial-basis with the existing strength of personnel. However, he said that for proper compliance of the traffic plan, joint efforts were required by the Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA), Cantonment Board, Excise Department and the NHA.

Like other parts of the country, he said, the number of vehicles had increased almost 10 times in the city. He said the traffic plan wo-uld be controlled through the shift-beat system and the traffic police would be deployed on all crossings, chowks and U-Turns from the General Bus Stand to Abbottabad Public School on the KKH.

He pointed out that an additional staff of at least 100 personal would be required with motorbikes and cars. The traffic police have also demanded three fork-lifters and a crane.

The ASP said that removal of encroachments, garbage dumps and illegal pushcarts from the roads was the job of the TMA, while the NHA was responsible for making proper bus-stops and U-Turns.

He said the TMA had been asked to remove illegal bus-stops and addas.

He said the NHA should install roadside mirrors at all curves from Havelian to Abbottabad. They had recommended Zebra Crossings on main roads and at least eight U-Turns on the KKH, he added.