LAHORE, June 27: A strategy has been made to ensure the smooth flow of traffic during the construction phase of the Bus Rapid Transport System (BRTS) in the provincial metropolis. This was stated by Inspector General (IG) Habibur Rehman at the first meeting of the BRTS Project committee made by the chief minister under his chair, says a press release.

The meeting was held at the Central Police Office on Wednesday to finalize the arrangements to ensure smooth flow of traffic in Lahore during upcoming monsoon and completion of BRTS Project.

Lahore CCPO Aslam Tareen, DCO Noorul Amin, CTO Dr Usman, Nespak Vice-President Azhar Masood, Arshad Malik, Saifur Rehman, Tepa Chief Engineer Muhammad Saeed Akhtar, MPAs Mazhar Husain, Khwaja Imran Nazir, Rai Muhammad Islam, Ramazan Bhatti, Dr Saeed Elahi and Hafiz Nauman, Project Director Israr Sahi, Sara Khan and Security Traffic In Charge Muhammad Sarwar attended the meeting.

The IG directed the members that a proper publicity campaign be launched about alternative traffic routes.

The meeting also decided that four traffic helplines would be set up at the offices of the traffic SP of City Division (02499213138), Sadar Division SP of traffic (04299202102), Senior Traffic Warden, and Complaint Cell (0300-9421470). People can contact traffic officials in case of any complaint or suggestions.

It was also decided in the meeting that 372 wardens would be deployed in three shift duties in seven traffic sectors of the project that are: Kot Lakhpat, Model Town, Ichhra, Mozang, Anarkali, Lower Mall and Ravi Road. Heavy vehicles will not be allowed on the roads in the sectors during the construction of the project.

Dumping of material and the machinery to be used in the construction work would be carried out from midnight (12am) to 5am.

The IG said in order to keep the traffic flow smooth on city roads, pumps should be installed on both sides of the road at every two kilometres to drain rainwater during the monsoon.

The provincial police chief directed the committee members to coordinate with the city district government, lawyers, traders and public representatives in order to finalise the strategy to remove encroachments during the construction of the project.

The IG has also ordered the authorities to remove barriers and barricades around the Central Police Office in a week in order to facilitate the public.