Authorities in Peshawar have launched a major initiative to regulate private taxis, curb illegal transport, and improve traffic flow across the city, officials said on Thursday.?
Under directives issued during a meeting chaired by Commissioner Peshawar Division and Chairman Regional Transport Authority Riyaz Khan Mehsud, all private taxis operating in the district must now be registered with the Excise Department. Registered taxis will receive a uniform color scheme and special QR-coded stickers. Taxis operating without registration or stickers will face legal action, including fines and vehicle seizure.
The meeting also ordered the immediate closure of over 100 illegal transport terminals, “Chingchi” services, and high-speed transport hubs, with responsible contractors to be arrested. To ease congestion on Charsadda and Kohat roads, unnecessary U-turns will be blocked, and a large-scale anti-encroachment operation will be launched.
Authorities decided that BRT stations causing traffic blockages will be relocated to open spaces. Special teams comprising Assistant Commissioners, traffic police, and the Regional Transport Authority will target illegal rickshaws, “Chingchis,” and loaders operating along the BRT route.
In addition, trucks, tractor-trailers, and other heavy vehicles will be banned from entering inner-city and main roads before 10 p.m. Traffic heading towards the Peshawar Motorway will be managed by police, customs, excise, and the narcotics control department, who have been instructed to relocate check posts to open areas to ensure uninterrupted traffic flow.
The meeting was attended by MNA Asif Khan, Deputy Commissioner Peshawar Captain (R) Sanaullah, Chief Traffic Officer Zaidullah, Secretary Regional Transport Authority Abrar Wazir, and other relevant officials.
Commissioner Riyaz Khan Mehsud said strict and immediate measures were essential to control traffic congestion in Peshawar and directed all concerned departments to implement the approved decisions without delay, warning that negligence would not be tolerated.