KARACHI: While allowing heavy vehicles to run in the city from 10pm to 6am for two months, the provincial government on Friday warned the transporters of stern action in case of any action resulting in public inconvenience or traffic congestion.

According to a notification issued by the commissioner, the authorities imposed the 60-day ban, which would remain in place from February 14 to April 13, to regulate the movement of heavy traffic in the city, except from 10pm to 6am.

Vehicles carrying essential commodities such as water, cooking oil, medicine, meat and other items were exempted from the new regulations.

Heavy vehicles have been allowed on three routes, including the Superhighway (to New Karachi Industrial Area via Slip Road); National Highway (to Godown Chowrangi via Manzar Petrol Pump, Younas Chowrangi, Dawood Chowrangi to Road 8000 near Jam Sadiq Bridge); and Northern Bypass (to Mauripur Road, Jinnah Bridge, Karachi Port, Mai Kolachi Road up till NLC intersection).

Transporters warned of action if ban on heavy vehicles violated

Also on Friday, senior Sindh Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon along with Home Minister Zia Lanjar, Excise Minister Mukesh Kumar Chawala, Commissioner Hasan Naqvi and others held a meeting with the delegation of transporters and told them that all heavy vehicles, including those from other provinces, must obtain registration and fitness certificates from the transport department.

The home minister warned the transporters not to commit acts of disturbing the traffic and said that any action resulting in public inconvenience would be dealt with sternly.

He emphasised the need for collective efforts for improving the city and declared that anything disrupting public life, such as hindering traffic, would be unacceptable. The transporters informed the meeting participants about their concerns regarding restrictions on entry during specific hours.

The senior minister said that the provincial government understood transporters’ issues and was determined to help them overcome these issues.

Published in Dawn, February 15th, 2025