RAWALPINDI, Sep 25 (APP): Transport Minister Punjab Ibrahim Murad along with Commissioner Rawalpindi Liaquat Ali Chatta here on Monday presided over a meeting at Commissioner Office and reviewed traffic issues, anti-smog measures and matters related to Pirwadhai general bus stand.
Additional Commissioner Coordination Syed Nizarat Ali, Director General, Rawalpindi Development Authority, Saif Anwar Jappa, City Traffic Officer, Rawalpindi Tamoor Khan, Secretary Regional Transport Authority Rashid Ali and other officers attended the meeting.
The Minister directed the authorities to improve facilities at general bus stand Pirwadhai to facilitate the passengers.
Pollution problem is being faced due to unruly traffic, he said and directed the authorities to formulate emergency plan to address the issue.
He further said that anti-smog Standard Operating Procedures should be strictly enforced and heavy fines should be imposed on the rules violators.
The smoke emitting vehicles should be impounded and legal action should be taken against the owners of such vehicles, he added.
Solid steps should be taken regarding improvement in law enforcement and traffic management on city roads, Ibrahim Murad instructed.
Adherence to traffic rules is essential to prevent road accidents and ensure smooth flow of traffic on the roads, the Minister said and ordered that improper parking and illegal parking stands should be eliminated immediately.
The driving license of the driver should be checked first on violation of traffic rules, he said adding, operation against unregistered vehicles should be accelerated.
The Minister said unfortunately, the metro bus service was also damaged during protests in Rawalpindi.
The Commissioner directed the departments concerned to speed up their ongoing efforts to eliminate environmental pollution. A zero-tolerance policy is being adopted regarding anti-smog measures, he added.
Rawalpindi District administration is proactive to eliminate encroachments from city roads, the Commissioner said.
The Minister was informed in a briefing that total area of Pirwadhai General Bus Stand is over 210 kanals. The bus stand was upgraded this year.
Separate waiting rooms were constructed for male and female passengers where air conditioners were also installed.
CCTV cameras were installed to ensure security of the passengers while security guards had also been deployed. Encroachments were also removed from the general bus stand area.
The Minister was also informed that Vehicle Inspection and Certification System stations were being built in Rawalpindi for checking of commercial vehicles.
The Provincial Minister in briefing regarding anti-smog measures was informed that 2674 vehicles were checked in Rawalpindi Division, out of which 1876 vehicles were issued challan slips for violating anti-smog SOPs while 137 vehicles were impounded.
During May 9 incidents, three metro bus stations were partially burnt in Rawalpindi while the Sixth Road metro bus station was completely destroyed and burnt.