Lahore High Court (LHC) ordered traffic authorities to impose a heavy fine on commuters for violating the one-way rule. According to the new order, commuters violating the one-way rule will have to pay a huge amount of Rs. 2000.
Justice Shahid Karim issued the order taking notice of frequent violations of traffic rules by motorists, while hearing multiple petitions regarding the environmental issues and the smog, in particular.
Lahore Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Muntazir Mehdi and the Traffic Engineering and Planning Agency (Tepa) submitted reports on the traffic situation in the city.
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Currently, Lahore is facing an alarming smog situation. It has been noted that smog worsened in Lahore as a result of traffic congestion. Traffic blockage at any point in Lahore caused huge carbon dioxide emissions from the exhaust pipes of the vehicles.
Regarding this, CTO Mehdi revealed to the court that a dedicated phone line already existed for the motorists to update or send information regarding any accident or traffic blockage in the city.
However, motorists frequently violate the traffic rules, especially the one-way rule, resulting in congestion. Furthermore, the small fines slapped on them are not enough.
On this note, the judge increased the minimum fine for such a violation to Rs 2000.
Read more: Faisal Javed lauds Islamabad Traffic Police, gets fined for breaking law
Lahore High Court orders minimum fine of Rs 2000 on “motorists” for violations of one way systems on roads.
I hope this definition of motorists includes rickshaws & motorcyclists who are the worst offenders and who do so with an arrogance as if by some divine right #Lahore
— Haroun Rashid (@HarounRashid2) November 20, 2021
Smog takes over Lahore
Lahore regularly ranks among the worst cities in the world for air pollution. Recently, the city received an air quality ranking of 348 well above the hazardous level of 300, according to IQAir. Due to this, authorities in Lahore vamped up efforts to curb the smog.
The Punjab government directed private sector companies in Lahore to operate with 50% attendance till further notice.
The development comes after the LHC ordered the Punjab government to announce a 50% attendance policy for private offices.
The Punjab government also decided to impose heavy fines on individuals and companies responsible for exacerbating the smog situation.