Lahore: Chief Minister of Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif has mandated the establishment of dedicated bike lanes on major roads in Lahore, urging authorities to ensure stringent adherence to traffic regulations, especially for vehicles operating under the Suthra Punjab programme. During a meeting focused on traffic management, the chief minister also emphasized the necessity of enforcing traffic laws following the tragic death of a minor, attributed to a Suthra Punjab vehicle.

According to Chief Minister of Punjab, the meeting reviewed strategies to enhance traffic flow, pedestrian safety, and overall traffic management in the city. Key directives included the strict enforcement of zebra crossings for pedestrians, the potential introduction of camera-based monitoring for better compliance, and a pilot project on The Mall to uphold zebra crossing rules. The chief minister also ordered the development of Ferozepur Road as a model road and instructed that cargo tractor-trolleys, particularly those under the Suthra Punjab programme, adhere to covering requirements.

Additionally, comprehensive measures were ordered to manage traffic congestion at critical junctions like Shahdara and Thokar Niaz Baig, with a focus on unobstructed traffic movement at Lahore’s entry and exit points. New traffic signals are to be installed at Pine Avenue and Jati Umra Chowk as part of these improvements.

The meeting also highlighted Lahore’s improved standing in the Numbeo Global Traffic Ranking Index, surpassing 149 cities worldwide. Chief Traffic Officer Lahore Syed Abdul Rahim Shirazi attributed this progress to reduced congestion at several key locations and mentioned the issuance of 4,096 traffic permits to minors and the installation of 65,000 panic buttons for women across Lahore.