Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has ordered the introduction of dedicated bike lanes on major roads of Lahore and directed the authorities to ensure strict enforcement of traffic laws, particularly by vehicles operating under the Suthra Punjab programme.
CM orders strict traffic law enforcement, crackdown on overloaded tractor-trolleys
LAHORE, Aug 31 (APP): Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has ordered the introduction of dedicated bike lanes on major roads of Lahore and directed the authorities to ensure strict enforcement of traffic laws, particularly by vehicles operating under the Suthra Punjab programme.
Presiding over a special meeting on traffic management, here on Monday, the chief minister expressed serious concern over traffic violations by Suthra Punjab vehicles and directed the authorities to ensure their strict compliance with traffic rules. She also expressed
grief over the death of a minor girl who was run over by a Suthra Punjab vehicle.
The meeting agreed to digitally monitor zebra crossings through cameras to discourage pedestrians from crossing roads at prohibited points, while a proposal to install alert buttons for pedestrians was also considered.
The CM ordered the launch of a pilot project on The Mall to ensure compliance with zebra-crossing rules. She also declared Ferozepur Road a model road and directed the installation of traffic signals at Pine Avenue and Jati Umra Chowk.
CM Maryam Nawaz directed strict enforcement of the requirement for cargo-carrying tractor-trolleys to be covered before entering roads. She said the same rule must apply to Suthra Punjab tractor-trolleys. She further ordered a province-wide crackdown on
overloaded tractor-trolleys before the start of the sugarcane season.
The chief minister sought immediate measures to ease traffic congestion at Shahdara and Thokar Niaz Baig, stressing that traffic flow at the city’s entry and exit points must remain unobstructed.
Lahore Chief Traffic Officer Syed Abdul Rahim Shirazi informed the meeting that Lahore’s position in the Numbeo Global Traffic Ranking Index had improved from 149th to 29th.
He said traffic congestion had declined by up to 70 per cent at Jati Umra Chowk, Pine Avenue, Defence Mor, Karim Block, Akbar Flyover, Kahna and Main Boulevard.
The meeting was further informed that 4,096 traffic permits/licences had been issued to youngsters aged 16 to 18, while 65,000 panic buttons had been installed for women at various locations across Lahore.
The chief minister welcomed the improvement in Lahore’s traffic ranking in South Asia and directed the authorities to continue efforts to further improve traffic management and ensure smooth movement on major roads.
