KOHAT: The local administration has prepared a traffic plan and imposed section 144, banning plying of passenger vehicles on the stretch of the road from Peshawar Chowk to Bannu Gate Chowk to ensure smooth traffic flow in the Kohat city. The ban would last for a month.

The deputy commissioner slapped the section 144 declaring Peshawar Chowk to Bannu Gate Chowk route as red-zone for passenger vehicles. Vehicles other than those with specific stickers would not be allowed to ply in the red-zone area. The unlicenced drivers also won’t be allowed to enter the area.

According to the order, red and blue sticker vehicles on Bannu and Pindi roads would be allowed to pick and drop passengers at the old bus stand. Similarly, orange sticker vehicles plying on Hangu Road would be allowed to pick and drop passengers in Old Mall Mandi Adda. And, green sticker vehicles would be banned from entering in the red zone.

However, the DC order said emergency and school vehicles would be exempted from the restriction. The violators of the ban would be punished under section 188 of the PPC.

It is to be recalled here that keeping in view traffic jams on the said road MPA Ziaullah Bangash had announced a project to construct an overpass from Kachery Chowk to PAF cinema two years back, but the project was shelved due to unknown reasons.

The problem had risen after the army closed the alternative route through the cantonment linking north and south of the city.

The social and political circles have demanded of the cantonment authorities to reopen the road for general public.

Published in Dawn, August 12th, 2016