Karachi: The traffic police department of the Sindh government is ready to collaborate with the business community to transform the industrial zone of the Federal B Area into a model zone for addressing traffic-related issues by utilizing advanced technology and surveillance systems, said DIG Traffic Police Karachi Syed Pir Muhammad Shah.
Speaking as the chief guest at the Federal B Area Association of Trade and Industries (FBATI) on Thursday, he said traffic police have decided to take stern measures to control traffic violations through the use of smart technology and collaboration with stakeholders.
He appreciated the proposals of the industrialists of the FBATI for providing technical support for surveillance to the police department. He revealed that Sindh Police is all set to introduce e-challan to control traffic mismanagement through camera monitoring and tracking systems.
“We are installing trackers on heavy vehicles and they will be paid heavy penalties of Rs 20,000 in case of violation and many vehicles will be impounded,” he said, and added, “The mechanism of challan distribution will be automated and transparent. On the other hand, traffic constables will be deputed to facilitate masses rather than penalizing law offenders. Also, the speed of heavy vehicles has been capped at 30 km per hour which will also be monitored through trackers.”
He assured the business community that traffic management will be effective once discipline is followed on the roads. Traffic parking and encroachments on roads are major challenges that will be fixed by traffic police through smart and innovative solutions in collaboration with local government.
DIG pointed out that illiteracy and lack of civic sense are major reasons for traffic mismanagement which will be addressed through education and fines. Traffic police are working to phase out passenger rickshaws on major routes where alternate transport systems are available.
The volume of traffic stands at 8.9 million in Karachi, out of which 4.4 million are bikers. Hence, 50 percent of the bikers are victims of traffic accidents, followed by pedestrians.
Sheikh Mohammed Tehseen, President FBATI, said that tankers are the major cause of traffic accidents and fatalities in industrial zones in recent months, which needs to be addressed immediately. He added that female workers in the industrial zone face difficulties during commuting to the offices due to traffic mismanagement and dilapidated road conditions.
Former President FBATI Idress Gigi proposed that the traffic police transform FBATI into the model industrial zone that can be replicated by other industrial zones upon its success. He added that FBATI will provide all-out support to police departments for curbing crimes and traffic accidents, including its CCTV surveillance system.