Taking some important decisions to resolve traffic issues across Punjab, including Lahore, Punjab Caretaker Chief Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi on Tuesday abolished the daily quota of challans set for traffic sergeants, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
Speaking at a high-level meeting convened to discuss suggestions to improve traffic system in the province, the chief minister said that from now onwards, performance of traffic wardens would not be judged by the number of tickets they had issued.
The CM also announced a plan under which it would be easy for the people to get driving licenses.
Under the plan, driving license centers would work in five big cities of Punjab namely Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, Gujranwala and Rawalpindi in two shifts. “These centers will also remain open on Saturday and Sunday,” CM Naqvi said.
One of these centers at Lahore’s Liberty Chowk would remain open 24 hours, he said, adding, “The provincial government has also decided to declare The Mall, Ferozepur Road, Jail Road and Main Boulevard in Gulberg ‘model roads’ in terms of traffic sense.
The chief minister said on ‘model roads’ an effective management system would be introduced to ensure smooth flow of traffic. “I have also directed the concerned department to focus on road engineering so that there should be no obstacle in the way of smooth flow of traffic,” he said, adding instructions had also been given to remove encroachments and other obstacles on these roads.
CM Naqvi also announced an ‘outreach’ programme for the issuance of driving licenses.
Under the programme, traffic police teams would visit colleges where they would issue licenses to the students. “Driving tests of students would be conducted at their college campus, and that they would be acquainted with the traffic rules,” he informed.
The CM also directed the traffic police high-ups to expedite work on the promotions of wardens.
The chief minister also ordered a crackdown on vendors selling meat on the roads under section 144.
He said that not only the flow of traffic was disturbed due to this practice but risks of accidents also increased due to the presence of birds nearby.
The CM also ordered action against beggars. “There should be ‘zero tolerance’ against them. The children begging on roads should be handed over to the Child Protection Bureau officials,” he directed.
He said that he had already ordered completion of work on the Samanabad and Kalima Chowk underpasses at the earliest.