KARACHI: Commissioner Karachi Hassan Naqvi, during a high-level meeting on traffic management, approved new measures to ease congestion in the city, with a particular focus on expanding the E-Challan system, as per the report.
The meeting included DIG Traffic Pir Mohammad Shah, the Municipal Commissioner KMC, Deputy Commissioners, and other officials, who reviewed Karachi’s current traffic problems.
DIG Traffic shared that a comprehensive plan has been prepared to issue E-Challan notices to vehicles involved in illegal parking, which has been identified as a major cause of congestion in commercial areas.
Officials also discussed the repair and rehabilitation of old and damaged pedestrian bridges. The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation reported that work has started on the first phase, covering 20 bridges, with priority given to those that pose safety risks.
The forum also addressed issues such as illegal roadside parking, poor management of basement parking in commercial buildings, and congestion around shopping malls.
The Deputy Commissioner South stated that encroachments have been removed from the basement parking in 22 commercial buildings in Saddar, opening up space for vehicles and helping reduce traffic pressure.
Commissioner Karachi emphasized that the Safe City cameras and the E-Challan system are designed to protect citizens by enforcing traffic laws.
He stated that fines will be increased significantly: motorcyclists overspeed can face fines up to Rs5,000, car drivers up to Rs15,000, and heavy vehicles up to Rs20,000. Driving without a licence could result in a fine of Rs50,000.
He added that the expanded E-Challan system, including digital monitoring, automated tracking, and enforcement, will be fully aligned with the Safe City initiative, making it a key element of Karachi’s new traffic management plan.