Vehicle fitness certification to be digitised to end corruption

A government meeting on Monday decided to digitise vehicle fitness certification to eliminate corruption, and to deploy 45 new ambulances along Sindh’s highways for emergency response.

The meeting was chaired by Chief Secretary Syed Asif Hyder Shah to discuss the growing concerns about traffic management and road accidents on the national highways across the province.

Rescue 1122 officials told the meeting that 14,426 road accidents occurred on the national highways in Sindh during 2024, underscoring the urgency for enhanced traffic enforcement and emergency response mechanisms.

National Highway Authority (NHA) representatives said that 821km of roads in Sindh fall under their jurisdiction, highlighting the vast network that requires improved surveillance and maintenance.

A key focus of the discussion was the long-standing issue of the incomplete Jamshoro-Sehwan Road, which has been a major concern due to frequent accidents. The NHA officials assured the CS that the remaining 24km of this crucial highway would be completed by March, ensuring safer and smoother travel for commuters.

The CS stressed that the insufficient deployment of traffic enforcement officers has contributed significantly to the rise in road accidents. He called for an immediate increase in the number of Motorway Police officials to enhance patrolling and ensure stricter enforcement of the traffic laws.

Motorway Police IG Riffat Mukhtar assured the CS that he would take steps to increase the presence of Motorway Police officials across Sindh within a week to curb traffic violations and improve road safety.

The CS directed the transport department to digitise vehicle fitness certification within the next three months to ensure transparency and eliminate the influence of middlemen (agent mafia) from the certification process. He stressed that unfit vehicles are a major contributor to accidents, and their regulation must be handled with the utmost efficiency and accountability.

The NHA was instructed to enhance the quality of roads across Sindh, particularly focusing on repairing damaged sections that pose safety hazards. The CS also announced the initiation of a Rescue 1122 ambulance service at all the NHA toll plazas, ensuring immediate medical assistance in case of accidents.

To further strengthen emergency response capabilities, the CS confirmed that an additional 45 ambulances would be provided to Rescue 1122 within a month to expand its coverage across the province’s national highways.

This initiative aims to reduce response times and enhance the availability of life-saving medical aid for accident victims. The Sindh government remains committed to improving traffic management, road infrastructure, and emergency services to minimise accidents and ensure safer highways for commuters.

The CS stressed that all the relevant government departments must work in close coordination to implement these directives effectively, ensuring a more secure and efficient transport system across Sindh.