Karachi Restricts Heavy Vehicles to Dedicated Lanes
Karachi’s city administration has announced a new traffic management policy that will restrict heavy transport vehicles (HTVs) to clearly marked dedicated lanes on major city roads. The move aims to keep slow‑moving freight traffic separate from faster passenger vehicles and improve overall traffic flow and safety on congested corridors.
The decision came from a meeting chaired by Commissioner Hasan Naqvi, attended by senior officials from the Karachi Police, the transport department, and representatives from goods transport associations, who discussed longstanding logistic and regulatory challenges.
Dedicated HTV Lane With Speed Limit
Under the new plan, heavy vehicles will be permitted only within lanes clearly marked with “HTV” signage and road paint, with a maximum speed cap of 30 km/h. Vehicles found outside the designated lane or above the speed limit will face enforcement action under city traffic regulations.
This initiative initially targets the corridor from Mai Kolachi to Qayyumabad Bridge, a high‑traffic freight route known for congestion and conflict between trucks and passenger vehicles.
Addressing Broader Freight Issues
Officials also reviewed several long‑standing challenges for goods transporters, including limited parking space, delays in HTV license issuance, vehicle registration barriers, and insurance coverage gaps. A proposed freight terminal with secure parking and maintenance facilities could form part of the longer‑term strategy, though formal plans and timelines are still under review by city authorities.
Commentators note that Pakistan’s road network, especially in megacities such as Karachi, often faces strain from heavy freight traffic, with slow trucks contributing to bottlenecks and safety concerns. Previous policies, such as daytime restrictions on heavy vehicles, reflected similar goals to reduce accidents and congestion.
