KARACHI: The ban on heavy vehicles entering Karachi during daytime hours has been extended for an additional two months, according to the report. Commissioner Karachi Hassan Naqvi issued a notification under Section 144 to enforce the extension.
According to the notification, heavy vehicles will not be allowed to enter the city from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
Exceptions have been made for vehicles transporting water, oil, oxygen, medical supplies, and other essential items. Heavy traffic is also completely banned on the route from the Super Highway to Mauripur via Jinnah Avenue.
A relaxation has been granted in industrial areas for dumpers that are equipped with tracking systems. Police have been authorized to take action against anyone violating these rules. The ban is effective from today, Tuesday, and will remain in place until February 22.
The restrictions have been imposed to prevent road accidents and reduce severe traffic congestion in the city. In November, dumpers and water tankers were completely banned from operating in Karachi, the Traffic Police chief said.
DIG Pir Muhammad Shah explained that the blanket ban followed the Razzaqabad traffic accident. “The tracker was not found to be installed in the dumper responsible for the accident in Karachi locality.” The accident claimed the life of a rickshaw driver and left several others injured. A van and a shop were also damaged in the mishap.
“Only those vehicles will be exempted, which have given access of their control to the traffic police,” DIG Traffic said. “Trackers have been installed in several dumpers and water tankers, but they didn’t give access to police,” he added.
“The exempted heavy vehicles would also be allowed only during the scheduled time,” DIG Shah said. Owners of dumpers and water tankers with installed trackers must contact the traffic police to formally provide access. “No dumper or tanker will now run on Karachi roads without giving access to their trackers to police,” he stressed.
“The police will seize vehicles without trackers during inspections on city roads,” he concluded.