ISLAMABAD: Seeking measures to check traffic rules violations during night hours, the residents of the capital have called for the deployment of more police officials on major roads to ensure public safety.

Criticising unavailability of the Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) personnel during late hours, they said there was a dire need to monitor the movement of heavy vehicles such as trucks, passenger buses and official motorcars that violated traffic laws and indulged in speeding.

Ubaidullah, a government employee who commutes on the Islamabad Expressway, said around 70pc to 80pc of major crossings in the capital remained unmanned.

He urged the authorities concerned to use close-circuit television cameras for monitoring and issuing tickets to the violators.

An official of the ITP, requesting not to be named, said the ITP was an exemplary force when it was established in 2005 and managed smooth flow of traffic. But no increase in its strength of 685 and the ever rising population affected its performance.

“The traffic flow has increased by almost seven times in the past 13 years while the staff’s strength has gradually decreased to 628 from 685 owing to retirement of some officials.” On the other hand, the population of the capital doubled to over two million during the last 20 years.

In reply to a question, he said the ITP was currently deputing two inspectors and 28 officials at night on major arteries, including Islamabad Expressway, Faisal Avenue, 7th Avenue, 9th Avenue, Constitutional Avenue and Attaturk Avenue.

Usually, an official performs duty around 10 hours daily but it prolongs to 16 hours in case of an emergency.

Out of the total staff, he said, over 300 officials worked in the morning shift, 200 in the evening and the remaining were stationed at offices, he added.

A large number of officials are also deputed on VIP duty at different points during the daytime while a sizable number of personnel remain busy in resolving parking issues in the markets, leaving a small number of personnel to manage the movement of over 900,000 registered vehicles on busy roads.

A traffic sergeant, who was performing duty at G-9, said: “It is a nerve-testing job to ensure smooth flow of traffic. We have to remain on our toes all the time irrespective of the harsh weather conditions.”

Qasim Ali, another official, said according to the ITP’s standard operating procedures (SOPs), which were introduced in 2005, each official was supposed to perform an eight-hour duty but at present an inspector has to work for over 15 hours and a constable for more than eight hours. Moreover, unscheduled arrangements for VIP movements usually prolong their working hours.

“We have requested the authorities concerned to induct at least 100 personnel to deal with the VIP movements but so far no action has been taken,” he said.

Published in Dawn, December 25th, 2018