LAHORE: A Lahore heavy vehicles daytime crackdown is under way. Chief Traffic Officer Abdul Rahim Shirazi has ordered the registration of cases against operators. These target heavy vehicles entering Lahore during restricted hours. Specifically, the move aims to prevent road accidents and ensure safe travel.
The CTO has directed traffic officials to strictly monitor public service vehicles. They must also watch commercial traffic and heavy vehicles on city roads. However, this applies only during prohibited timings. According to the traffic police, heavy traffic is barred from entering Lahore during the daytime. In addition, it is allowed to enter only between 11pm and 7am.
Cases, not just challans
The restrictions apply to tractor-trolleys, trailers, trucks and construction machinery. These are prohibited from entering the city during daytime hours. Shirazi warned that legal cases would be registered directly against operators. Specifically, this applies to those found violating the restrictions.
The escalation from fines to cases marks a tougher line. Traffic police say warnings have not been enough. Furthermore, they say prosecuting operators is the only way to force compliance. In fact, some fleet owners treat penalties as a cost of business.
The CTO said heavy traffic was being allowed into the city in phases. Meanwhile, oil tankers were permitted entry only during designated timings.
What the timings mean
For residents, the rule is simple. The city’s roads during the day are for light traffic. Heavy vehicles belong to the night window from 11pm to 7am. The phased entry system means trucks arrive in controlled slots. Consequently, they will not clog roads at peak hours.
The measures aim to regulate heavy traffic movement. They also seek to reduce the risk of accidents. In addition, they should improve road safety in Lahore. Collisions involving trucks and trailers on congested arteries have repeatedly turned fatal.
Enforcement on the ground
Traffic officials have been told to keep a strict watch on public service vehicles. They must also monitor commercial traffic and heavy vehicles across the city’s road network. This goes beyond entry points. Specifically, the directive covers the full range of heavy machinery. This includes tractor-trolleys, trailers, trucks and construction equipment. These are increasingly spotted moving through Lahore during busy daytime hours.
Meanwhile, for transporters, the message is clear. Daytime entry will now carry the risk of a registered case. It will no longer mean just a routine fine. Oil tankers pose an added hazard in populated areas. As a result, they will be allowed entry only during their designated timings.
The smog angle
The crackdown also lands in the middle of Lahore’s worsening air quality season. Moreover, heavy diesel vehicles are among the largest contributors to particulate pollution. This pollution pushes the city’s air quality index into unhealthy territory each winter.
Punjab has already taken steps this season to curb vehicular emissions. For example, it introduced school carpooling measures to cut smog. It also backed fresh research on ozone pollution over Lahore. Restricting heavy vehicles to night hours trims the accident risk. In addition, it trims the daytime emissions load. Indeed, it is a double gain for a city that struggles with both.
