To ensure hassle-free movement of goods, traffic and to ensure transparency in revenue collection, Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal on Wednesday approved 36 computerised integrated check posts across the State.
Approving a conceptual plan put up by the State Excise and Taxation Department, Sukhbir to construct the check posts and operationalise them by January 1, 2014. At least 11 major computerised check posts under the integrated check post plan will come up in Shambu-I, Shambu-E, lalru, Banur, Khanauri, Balongi, Dehni, Madhopur, Kaller Khera, Doomanwali and Zirakpur.
The plan is to set up 25 minor check posts in Ram Nagar, Devigarh, Moonak, Ghanouli, lakhanpur, Mullanpur, Nangal, Harsar-Mansar, Chak Sadhu, Dalhousie Road, Saikulian, Sito Ghunoo, Rajpura, Talwandi Sabo, Killianwali, Sardulewala, Boha, Chullar Kalan, Mohali, Talwara, Amritsar Station, ludhiana Station, Sarna and Khanaouri Kaithal road.
Reiterating the State Government's commitment to provide world class road connectivity, he said that Department has already approved Rs 12,160 crore plan to link all cities with four-six lane roads and do away with traffic bottlenecks caused due to manual checking of goods vehicles. The proposed check posts will have separate parking, loading and unloading areas, besides restrooms and refreshing rooms for drivers and will be equipped with heavy vehicle scanners, vehicle weighing platforms, high resolution CCTV cameras and number plate capturing equipment, Sukhbir said.
There would be six to seven bays at every check post for smooth and hassle free disposal of goods traffic. Passenger traffic would not be allowed to halt at these check posts and there would be separate lanes for private tourist buses and taxis, he said. Issuing instructions to integrate the check posts with the main server of Excise and Taxation Department, the Deputy Chief Minister said that the entire exercise was to bring total transparency in revenue collection and ease congestions. All check posts will have air conditioned administrative offices and their total operation will be monitored from the Excise and Taxation Headquarters on wide area network, Sukhbir added.