HATTIAN BALA (Kashmir English): Authorities in Hattian Bala and Chinari Bazaar have imposed Section 144 to ban two-sided parking, regulate public transport stops, and prohibit tinted windows and pressure horns to ease traffic congestion and facilitate emergency services.
Authorities have set Section 144 in Hattian Bala and Chinari Bazaar, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) limiting vehicle parking on both sides of the road to relieve traffic congestion and ensure a smooth flow of movement for emergency services and the public.
It has been observed that routine traffic jams in Hattian Bala and Chinari Bazaar are mainly caused by wrong parking and public transport vehicles stopping randomly in the marketplace. This creates issues for pedestrians and customers and causes extreme challenges for ambulances, fire brigades, and VIP movement, usually slowing their path through the area.
To deal with this issue, authorities have banned two-sided parking in Hattian Bala and directed all public transport vehicles to park only in designated areas assigned by municipal authorities. Similarly, in Chinari Bazaar, vehicles must only be parked in assigned parking zones, and stopping randomly in the market is now strictly forbidden.
In addition to parking limitations, the authorities have also addressed concerns regarding black-tinted windows in vehicles, which have reportedly contributed to various illegal actions. A ban has also been set on the use of pressure horns, as they cause excessive noise pollution and disturbance in the area.
Sub-Divisional Magistrate Kamran Khan has exerted his authority under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, issuing a legal order that no person shall park their vehicle, including rickshaws and other transport, on both sides of the Srinagar Highway except in set parking areas. Additionally, vehicle owners are prohibited from using pressure horns or installing black-tinted windows, and no one shall promote or encourage such breaches.
Violators of this order will face legal action under Section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).
What is Section 144?
The Criminal Procedure Code of Pakistan 1898 contains a section known as Section 144, or Daffa 144 in Pakistan, which gives the district government the authority to issue orders in the public interest to prohibit specified conduct for a given period.
The management has urged the public to collaborate with authorities to ensure a smooth traffic flow, relieve emergency response services, and enhance overall mobility in Hattian Bala and Chinari Bazaar. The regulations aim to create a safer and more organised traffic system, helping both residents and visitors.
