KP Governor chaired important meeting on traffic management in Peshawar

PESHAWAR: Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi chaired a meeting regarding traffic management in Peshawar and discussed issues of driving licenses and implementation of traffic laws.

The meeting was attended by Project Director Safe Cities DIG Ijaz Rae, Chief Traffic Officer Zahidullah, and other concerned officers. Governor Faisal Karim Kundi was given a detailed briefing on traffic flow in Peshawar, congested spots, causes of traffic problems, and their solutions.

The Governor directed officers to take effective steps to immediately resolve traffic problems in Peshawar. To improve the traffic system in Peshawar, the traffic management model of Sindh, especially Karachi, should be reviewed, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi said.

Strict implementation of traffic laws in Peshawar should be ensured, and no leniency should be shown in challaning, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi said. Until an effective system of reward and punishment is established, traffic problems will persist, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi said. Comprehensive steps should be taken to remove encroachments and ensure smooth flow of traffic in Peshawar, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi said.

An effective system of fines against violators of traffic rules should be introduced on the pattern of Karachi, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi said. We want the traffic system in Peshawar to be so improved that beauty and identity of the city become prominent, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi said.

To bring real change in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, solutions to civic problems and improvement of the traffic system are included in our priorities, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi said.

During a briefing regarding traffic police and manpower, it was informed that 5,664 traffic wardens are deployed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, out of which 1,867 are performing duties in Peshawar.

He was briefed that the recruitment process for Assistant Sub-Inspectors in traffic police is underway.24 spots facing traffic problems in Peshawar have been identified, while 10 spots have been identified for installation and improvement of traffic signals.

The need for effective steps to reduce traffic pressure on University Road was highlighted. Construction of underpasses can resolve many traffic problems in Peshawar.

Governor Faisal Karim Kundi directed to expedite work on underpass projects and make traffic signals functional at the earliest. It was informed that open and damaged manholes are also a major cause of disruption in traffic flow in Peshawar.

 Governor directed immediate steps to resolve issues at congested spots on University Road. It was briefed that registration of rickshaws has not been done since 2016 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. There are more than one hundred thousand rickshaws in Peshawar, a large number of which are unregistered. About 23 thousand rickshaws are registered, while thousands are without registration. Many rickshaw owners want to get registration, but an effective mechanism does not exist. Registration of rickshaws is the responsibility of the Excise Department, while issuance of route permits is responsibility of the Transport Department.

Governor Faisal Karim Kundi directed to convene meeting of concerned departments next week to resolve issues of registration and route permits of rickshaws.

Unregistered rickshaws, motorcycles and hand carts were termed as major causes of traffic problems in Peshawar. It was briefed that driving license printing centers are functional in all divisional headquarters of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

 More than 2 million driving licenses have been issued in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa so far. Biometric verification of citizens is mandatory for issuance of driving licenses. More than 30 thousand international driving licenses have been printed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Discussion was held on proposal to include subjects in the educational curriculum for awareness regarding traffic laws. Governor Faisal Karim Kundi assured concerned officers to resolve traffic management issues on priority basis.

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