Karachi: In response to the rising number of fatal accidents involving dumpers and other heavy vehicles in the metropolis, the Sindh government has decided to restrict their entry into Karachi, particularly during rush hours.
As per the new directives, dumpers will only be allowed to enter Karachi between 11 PM and 6 AM, effectively banning them during daytime in the country’s financial hub.
The move comes amid a surge in fatalities caused by heavy vehicle accidents, including dumpers, in recent weeks.
At least three people lost their lives in Ibrahim Hyderi after being hit by a dumper on Saturday, while a similar accident in Gulistan-e-Jauhar Mor claimed three more lives a day earlier.
According to police reports, a total of 96 people have died in traffic accidents in Karachi over the past two months, with 72 fatalities occurring within the city and 24 in its suburbs.
Among these incidents, eight people were killed in four separate accidents involving dumpers. The overall fatalities include 71 men, 12 women, and 13 children, while approximately 1,300 people sustained injuries in various accidents.
Reacting to these alarming figures, a high-level meeting chaired by Sindh Chief Secretary Syed Asif Hyder Shah decided that all vehicles operating in Karachi must obtain a QR Code certificate from the transport department.
Additionally, all heavy vehicles and their drivers will undergo physical verification to ensure compliance with safety regulations.
The Sindh Solid Waste Management Board has been instructed to shift its operations to nighttime within three months, while the transport secretary has been directed to inspect all Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) water tankers within a month to ensure their safety and compliance with traffic laws.
Shah emphasized that reckless drivers should not only be fined but also face first information reports (FIRs) to ensure accountability. He instructed the Transport Department to expedite the implementation of the Vehicle Inspection and Certification System (VICS) across the province.
It was revealed in the meeting that 65% of vehicles in Karachi are motorcycles, and 55% of all road accidents involve motorcyclists. In response, the chief secretary directed the Traffic DIG to improve the traffic situation within a month and strictly enforce road safety regulations.
To deter violations and improve road discipline, the chief secretary ordered a fourfold increase in traffic fines. He also directed an increase in the number of traffic police personnel in the city and the launch of an awareness campaign for motorcyclists.
Meanwhile, providing updates on the Sindh Road Safety Committee’s efforts, a spokesperson for the transport minister stated that 44 vehicles had been fined and seven were seized for violating relevant laws.
Additionally, one driver was arrested, and the total fines imposed amounted to Rs334,360, the spokesperson added.
