THE government announcement that strict action will be taken against unfit vehicles and other traffic irregularities during the Eid-time travel is both timely and welcome. Every year, millions of people leave the capital to celebrate the festival with their families, creating immense pressure on roads, terminals and transport services. In such circumstances, the move to stop rundown vehicles from operating, curb reckless driving and stop passengers from travelling on rooftops is an important step towards ensuring safe journeys. The deployment of additional traffic police, the establishment of help desks and the activation of mobile courts indicate that the law enforcement agencies are aware of the scale of the challenge. It is also encouraging that the law enforcement agencies have planned strong security measures at major transport hubs with the involvement of specialised police units. The government’s decision to extend the holiday period, allowing people to travel in a staggered manner, is expected to ease the journey. If implemented effectively, the measures could ease congestion and reduce the risks associated with the massive seasonal movement of people. For a country where Eid travel is often synonymous with hardship, uncertainty and disaster, such initiatives offer some hope.
Announcements, however, alone cannot guarantee safe travel unless they are translated into consistent and visible enforcement on the ground. The statistics compiled by various organisations serve as a stark reminder of the human cost of weak regulation and negligence. Hundreds of people lost their lives in road accidents during the past Eid while many more were injured. The figures expose systemic failures in traffic management and transport oversight. It is an unfortunate but undeniable reality that many unfit vehicles continue to operate not only around Eid but at other times, too. Buses, trains and launches often carry passengers far beyond their capacity while people are seen travelling on rooftops or even inside open trucks and lorries which pose grave threats to passenger safety. Drivers who are fatigued or medically unfit are sometimes allowed behind the wheel and overspeeding remains common on highways. Unless strict monitoring is maintained throughout the holiday period, such dangerous practices will inevitably take a heavy toll. The restriction on trucks during peak travel days is a positive measure, but it needs to be implemented without exception.
With the holiday extended and people expected to travel over several days, there is an opportunity to avoid chaotic scenes and tragic incidents that often accompany Eid journeys. However, without firm coordination among the police, transport operators and regulatory bodies, the roads could easily descend into disorder. The authorities must, therefore, ensure continuous vigilance and take strict action against irregularities to make Eid journey safe.
