20000327

Authorities asked to

improve transport

system in Punjab

LAHORE: Information and Transport Minister Shafqat Mahmood has directed the transport authorities to improve transport system in the province and to streamline the system on an organised manner by eliminating corrupt mafia prevalent in it, for which an effective action plan should be prepared within a week in order to ensure people oriented and environmental friendly transport culture in the Punjab.

He gave these instructions while presiding over a high-level meeting regarding transport in the province here on Sunday.

The Transport secretary, PTA secretary and secretaries of regional transport authorities of the province participated in the meeting.

The meeting reviewed in detail about various sectors of the transport and took a number of long-term concrete decisions to eliminate the deficiencies. It was decided that henceforth fitness certificates of the vehicles would be given to the owners of bus companies in districts concerned and it will be ensured that, instead of bogus checking, checking on real line would be done and anyone contravening laid down rules and regulations, strict disciplinary action would be taken against the concerned motor vehicle examiner.

The meeting was informed that in the light of public complaints, all motor vehicle examiners have been transferred outside respective divisions and in this connection, no recommendation or pressure was accepted.

It was decided in the meeting of prepare standard bodies for the buses in the province to ensure special care, convenience and security for the public. It was further decided to introduce one-window operation with immediate effect in order to make route permit system transparent throughout the province so that the owners of the vehicles do not have to undergo unnecessary delay and their requests can be disposed of speedily.

The meeting decided to improve the overall conditions of the general bus stands by introducing latest amenities at bus terminals, elimination of transport and goonda mafia, so that better transport facilities could be provided to the public. Furthermore, it was also decided to set up offices of motor vehicle examiners with immediate effected at bus stands.

Addressing the meeting, Shafqat Mahmood directed that implementation of traffic rules and regulations should be ensured in the light of different public complaints. He said over-speeding and irresponsible driving, besides overloading, overcharging and mistreatment with the public should not be tolerated at any cost.

The minister announced that he would conduct sporadic visits to different general bus stands to have a first hand knowledge of problems being faced by the travelling public and see the efficiency of the motor vehicle examiner concerned.ÑPPI