Lahore: Making Gulberg Main Boulevard a ‘model road’

[Naveed Yaseen]

Bikes, rickshaws to stay off main road for 8 hours a day

* Smaller vehicles to be diverted to service lanes from 5pm to 7pm in addition to already implemented time of 8am to 2pm
* Fine for violating ban from November 1

By Rana Tanveer

LAHORE: The City Traffic Police (CTP) has increased the duration in which motorcycles, rickshaws and bicycles are not allowed on the Gulberg Main Boulevard and have to use the service lanes instead.

Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Intesar Hussain Jaafri told Daily Times on Monday that apart from the 8am to 2pm duration, the restriction would now also be applicable from 5pm to 7pm.

Jaafri said some motorcyclists and rickshaw drivers were violating the restriction, but the CTP was not fining them yet.

Fine: He said there would be a fine from November 1 for motorcyclists, cyclists and rickshaw drivers using the main road during these hours.

On Monday, the CTO visited the Main Boulevard and monitored the implementation of the restriction. He ordered traffic police personnel to educate commuters that the restriction was for their own benefit.on Monday and observed the implementation of the step. He ordered the traffic police personnel to educate the motorists with patience that the step was for their own facility.

Sources in the CTP said motorcycles, cycles and rickshaws would be completely stopped from using the main road in the near future.

On October 14, the CTP had declared the Main Boulevard a ‘model road’ and ordered bicycles, motorcycles and rickshaws to be diverted to the service lanes from 8am to 2pm.

The CTO said the step was taken as an experiment to ensure smooth traffic flow.

Rickshaw drivers and motorcyclists have criticised the restriction. They are often seen arguing with wardens to be allowed to use the main road.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...009_pg13_3