Reacting to recent deaths due to accidents involving heavy traffic, Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori has stated that if the dumper trucks were not controlled in Karachi, he would be forced to take extreme measures.
Expressing frustration over the increasing number of dumper truck accidents in the city, he said that on a single day, four citizens of Karachi were killed in such incidents. The governor questioned why such dumper trucks had been crushing people only in Karachi and raised concerns over dumper drivers fleeing the scene after hitting people.
He asked how long the administration's negligence would continue amidst loss of innocent lives. He demanded that action be taken against the companies responsible for the dumper trucks involved in the accidents.
He also called for the Sindh government to come up with a plan of action against the dumper truck mafia within a week. He warned that if the Sindh government did not take action against such mafia, he would start playing a proactive role and attend the funeral prayers of those killed in dumper truck accidents.
After the governor’s harsh reaction, Sindh Excise Minister Mukesh Kumar Chawla ordered that all the illegal and unregistered dumper trucks in Karachi be immediately seized. He said illegal and unregistered dumpers on the roads were causing the loss of human lives. He mentioned that in collaboration with the traffic police, an immediate plan of action would be developed against illegal and unregistered dumper trucks.
Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab also took notice of the increasing traffic accidents in Karachi, which have claimed numerous lives and left many injured due to the unregulated movement of heavy vehicles.
He directed the authorities to take immediate action to address the issue. In a letter to the Karachi additional inspector general of police, the mayor expressed concern over the rising accidents caused by unchecked heavy vehicle movement. He called the current situation unacceptable and urged all relevant civic agencies to intervene.
He stated that the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) Council had also taken notice of the matter and emphasised that the traffic police, who were responsible for regulating these vehicles, must take a decisive action.
Wahab recommended that all dumper trucks and heavy vehicles should only be allowed on the roads during late-night hours, preferably between 8PM and 6AM. He, however, added that the heavy vehicles performing essential municipal services should be permitted to operate during regular hours but they must be checked by the Traffic police.
He stressed that safeguarding the lives and well-being of the citizens was the primary responsibility of the government. He expressed confidence that the Sindh police would implement concrete measures to regulate heavy vehicle movement across the city.
He also reaffirmed the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation’s commitment to supporting the police in enforcing these regulations and ensuring safer roads for Karachi’s residents.
Road committee
The Sindh government, concerned over rising incidents of road mishaps, especially involving heavy vehicles, have formed a “Road Checking Committee” under the provincial transport secretary as chairman, adds Salis bin Perwaiz,
The government has also provided the terms of reference to the committee, which include checking documents, i.e. registration book, route permit, fitness certificate and driving licences of the commercial vehicles, including dumpers and water tankers, which are plying in the province in contravention of the Motor Vehicle Ordinance, 1965 and Motor Vehicle Rules, 1969.
As per the notification issued reads, “In view of the increasing trend overloading and over speeding on the roads, the competent authority is pleased to constitute a committee known as the "Road Checking Committee under the provisions of Motor Vehicle Laws Regulations, 1965 and the Road Safety Act, 1985.”