Punjab Minister for Communication and Works Malik Sohaib Ahmad Bharth formally activated the state-of-the-art digital toll plaza at the Eastern Toll Plaza on Lahore Ring Road on Monday. The inauguration marks a significant step under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif's vision for a Digital Punjab, aiming to modernize traffic management and improve public services.
Digital System Features and Benefits
The six-lane modern toll plaza has been equipped with an M-Tag facility to make toll collection more efficient and transparent. The digitalized system is expected to reduce traffic congestion, shorten waiting times for commuters, and facilitate a free-flow traffic environment on the busy route. Officials briefed participants that the advanced digital system would also enable monitoring of suspicious vehicles moving on Lahore Ring Road, thereby enhancing security and surveillance capabilities.
Previous Management Issues Addressed
The Eastern Toll Plaza had previously been managed by a third party, which often resulted in operational issues and inconvenience for road users. With the introduction of the new digital mechanism, significant improvements are expected in traffic management, service delivery, and overall commuter convenience.
Commitment to Modern Technology
Talking on the occasion, the minister said the Punjab government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, was committed to introducing modern technology in public infrastructure projects to improve service delivery and facilitate citizens. He said the digitalization of the toll plaza would ensure greater transparency, efficiency, and convenience for commuters while contributing to better traffic management on Lahore Ring Road.
Chairperson Punjab Ring Road Authority Safiullah Gondal, along with senior officials of the Frontier Works Organization (FWO) and One Network, attended the inauguration ceremony.
