CPEC conference on road safety and logistics management

May 18, 2018 News , OPINION/NEWS , Pakistan

Reuters photo

By

Muhammad Shoaib Khan

It has been announced that the Pakistani government will remove all grievances of stakeholders regarding infrastructure, transport and logistics management in CPEC. The first national transport policy with the consultation of all stakeholders has been devised and is expected to be promulgated during the present government, regional connectivity and best availability of transport and logistic infrastructure boosting relations with states connected in CPEC, according to the Planning Commission of Pakistan, a conference organized by the Institute of Road Safety Traffic Environment Pakistan with the collaboration of the National Institute of Transportation, NUST, Islamabad.

Talking in the conference, Secretary of Planning Commission and Reforms, Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui, said that the government has designed Pakistan’s first ever transport policy and its draft has been handed over to the government for it to be tabled in the National Assembly. He said road development is the mother of all development and has a key role in relations with China. He said CPEC is the name of road, rail, air, fibre and shipyard connectivity and the development of their relevant infrastructure. Pakistan and China can share their experiences in road safety development.

On this occasion, Director General of the National Logistic Cell stressed the importance of logistic infrastructure and supply chain management in CPEC. NLC has been taking special steps in this connection. He informed that NLC has signed an agreement with Mercedes for manufacturing loading trucks in Pakistan to ensure the facilities for smooth trading and transportation of goods. He stated that Pakistan will introduce a Truck Tracking system to monitor all transportation on highways and CPEC routs. NLC will manage Sust Border Terminal Logistic Management and will construct service stations with facilities for trucks and drivers along CPEC roads every 200 km.

Political Councillor of the Chinese Embassy Jiag Han, addressing the audience, strongly ruled out the perception which has prevailed in a segment of Pakistani society that China will dominate as the East India Company did during the British regime. He said that China had been a victim of colonialization and the President of China had already exhibited China’s policy; “China will boost other economies without political interference and imposing its own economic agenda.”

The Chief Executive of CPEC project hinted that various types of technology as RFID, Iot, Robotics, Drons, BIM, Big Data and artificial intelligence would be used in road safety management and transportation of trade.

Other government officials speaking said that due to better management, the death toll during road accidents has decreased by 44% in the last year. Traffic police have taken various steps such as E-ticketing, Electronic controlling, Driving Centre for HTV drivers and better services of international standards.

Chairman of the National Institute of Transportation said that strong trade connectivity would lead to regional economic development and transport infrastructure is pre-requisite for CPEC. The institution has been working to maintain CPEC road and transport effects on environment at zero level. After CPEC completion Pakistan would be the first transport hub of the world.