Sindh Transport, Labor and Information Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah has said that the Government of Sindh is taking concrete steps to dilute the traffic congestion and improve existing transport system. In this regard, Government is to introduce the modern and rapid transport system with the support and assistance of local as well as foreign companies entrepreneurs to ease the issues of business community.

This he said while addressing the industrialists at dialogue on “Traffic congestion” organized by the Federation of Pakistan chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) held at Federation House here with Mr. John Lough Lin, Regional Manager-1, Stop Connections of Australian Government Leader, Former Chairman TDAP S.M. Muneer, President United Group Gulzar Firoz, Vice President FPCCI Irfan Sarwana, Chairman Standing Committee on Customs Arshad Jamal, Shakil Kanga, CEO and  Coordinator M. Sohail Khan , Brig. Nasir Mehmood Alvi, Commander Freight Services of NLC and others attending the event.

The Minister Transport Syed Nasir Hussain Shah has further said that the Government of Sindh is aware of the issues of the business community and within available resources, taking serious steps for resolve of all issues on priority, in this regard to improve the existing transport system, maintenance and re-construction of existing road network, construction of under-passes and modern transport system with fleet of 617 buses on various routes are under way projects during the current year. Besides future projects, construction of fly overs, more under passes etc. would be taken very soon.

He further highlighted that the Railway system will be adopted as substitute system for deep Sea Port and other mega projects with the help of Federal Government. Regarding shifting of Truck stand, he said, land is already purchased for the purpose outside city as existing infrastructure is not feasible to bear traffic congestion during rush hours and would require reconstruction of new road network. To improve the existing roadmap, new projects are also underway, while KCR would be inaugurated on 25th December 2017 on birth day of father of Nation. Besides southern bypass and northern bypass would also be constructed to ease traffic congestion and provide maximum facilities to businessmen and reduce their difficulties to help them with ease of trade and business as Karachi is the industrial hub and backbone of our country’s economy.

S.M. Muneer, Irfan Sarwana, Brig Alvi of NLC, Arshad Jamal while speaking at the dialogue, said that Government is taking infrastructure Cess and Road Tax from businessmen, they cooperate the Government at every level.  Business men wants to stabilize their business and trade to contribute into progress of economy. Due to Deep Sea Port, transport system must be improved and dilute the traffic congestion, for which the Government may utilize the infrastructure Cess and road tax on it properly besides ban the heavy vehicles in the city during rush hours.

Mr. John Lough Lin emphasized the training of heavy vehicles and truck drivers and adopt booking system of the long and heavy vehicles through his study and survey about the traffic system of the city. Brig Nasir Mehmood Alvi of NLC has said that road network was made during past 10 years, it has be taken now by the PPP and Sindh CM Syed Murad Ali Shah, which is a good step and good initiative to rehabilitate the roads and underpasses. Government of Sindh is doing a lot to revive the transport system but the Government should also work to evolve the railway system in the city as the substitute way. At present railway system of 1960 is been warped, so now the elevators must be built with new routes to cater the needs of the city through new studies.

Chairman Standing Committee on Customs Arshad Jamal, has said that today’s forum has to compile the Recommendation, sent to Government for implementation and for further evolve the strategy so that issues would be resolved on priority without further delay. He appreciated the seriousness of the Government in this regard that they visited the city during monsoon season to clear the city from rain water and clean the city from garbage and sewerage disposal.