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NHA plans seminars on 'over-loading, safe journey' in cities

ISLAMABAD: The National Highway Authority (NHA) will organise seminars on over-loading and road safety in different cities to create awareness among the people.

The decision in this respect was taken in a meeting, presided over by NHA Chairman, Maj. Gen. Viqarul Haq Khan (Retd), here on Sunday.

The meeting was told that first seminar will be held in Mandra on March 4 to develop liaison among drivers, traffic police and depatments concerned.

The experts would express their views and read out their papers on the occasion.

Communication Secretary, Dr. Mohammad Akram Sheikh has said that comprehensive planning is needed to ensure safe journey and over-loading on highways.

He said over-loading, one of the causes of bad condition of highways and creates hinderance in the way of economic and social development, if endeavour are not made in this regard.

PTCL Chairman, Naseem S. Mirza, Communication Joint Secretaries Shaukat Usman and Ashraf Hayat, NHA (Finance) Member Moinuddin Siddiqui, NHA Member (Highways), Syed Najamul Hassan, PTC Member (Technical) Mohammad Amin and DG Dvelopment Iftikhar Raja were also present in the meeting.

Dr. Akram Sheikh said that highways perform vital role in socio-economic development of the country, adding that there is dire need of controlling over-loading for safe and sound journey.

He said strict action be taken against encroachments besides the highways and called for close connection among departments concerned in order to ensure elimination of this menace.

Speaking on the occasion, Maj. Gen Viqarul Haq said that the NHA has planned to set up 29 scales at different places to eliminate over-loading at highways.

The NHA Chief emphasised need of public cooperation for effective and coordinated transport system and added the NHA would collaborate with other departments for safe journey on highways. APP