14 wagons fined in Dhadar for overloading on Quetta-Jacobabad highway

QUETTA: Action was taken against overloading, vehicles running without route permits and passengers sitting on wagon roofs on the Quetta-Jacobabad National Highway at Dhadar in Kachhi district. It followed special directions from Balochistan Provincial Secretary Transport Muhammad Hayat Kakar and Provincial Transport Authority (PTA) Balochistan Secretary Abdul Majeed Jonjo.

During the operation, 14 wagons found violating the rules were fined. The owners and drivers of 27 other wagons were given warnings and directed to follow traffic laws.

A joint team of the Provincial Transport Authority Balochistan and Kachhi Traffic Police carried out the operation. It worked under the supervision of DIG Sibi Muhammad Parvez Umrani, DPO Kachhi Ghulam Murtaza Bhutto and Circle DSP Sher Muhammad.

Passenger safety

Officials said the aim is to protect the lives and property of passengers on the national highway, prevent road accidents and ensure that safety rules are followed in public transport. They said overloading, illegal operation of vehicles, carrying more passengers than the permitted capacity and seating passengers on wagon roofs are not only violations of traffic laws but also pose serious risks to passengers’ lives.

Carrying passengers on the roof increases the risk of a vehicle overturning. If the brakes are applied suddenly, passengers may fall and suffer serious injuries. For the safety of those travelling on the Quetta-Jacobabad National Highway in particular, transporters must not carry more than the permitted number of passengers. They must not allow passengers on roofs, must keep route permits and other legal documents complete and must ensure their vehicles are roadworthy.

The Provincial Transport Authority Balochistan and Kachhi Traffic Police made clear that action against vehicles violating traffic laws on national highways will continue.

Photo: courtesy DG PR Balochistan