he City Traffic Police Department has launched a new initiative to regulate the flow of traffic and assist commuters in the event of a traffic jam. The Chips Rider Squad, which comprises reserve forces of the traffic police, is a mobile team.The wardens patrol the city on motorbikes and address traffic-related concerns of the citizens on the go.

Named after the cop drama series CHiPS, which aired on PTV in 1970’s, this patrol force has been tasked with providing assistance to commuters, resolving traffic issues and providing first-aid in the event of an accident.

“Peshawar has many issues. It is an expanding urban hub. Traffic congestion has become a problem of late. Many busy roads such as Warsak Road, Kohat Road, Ashraf Road, Ring Road, University Road and the areas surrounding these are routinely choked with traffic,” says Abdur Rauf Khalil Khan, a retired policeman.

Speaking of the Emergency Chips Rider Squad, Khan says that the idea has potential. “The city could do with patrolling wardens. If the initiative is effectively implemented, it may be of some use,” he says.

According to the 2023 census, the population of Peshawar has crossed 4.7 million, making it the sixth-largest city in Pakistan. It is also one of the oldest cities in the country. Unplanned development, encroachments and overpopulation have exacerbated the city’s traffic problems.

Public transport is one solution. Peshawarites welcomed the launch of the Bus Rapid Transport system. However, the city’s traffic problems are far from resolved. During peak hours, the traffic often comes to a standstill. The situation gets worse if there’s a street protest going on.

“With our Emergency Chips Rider Squad on the roads, citizens will be able to contact officials in case of an emergency or an accident. Citizens can also contact the wardens if there’s a traffic jam,”

Shahab Khan, spokesperson for the city police, tells The News on Sunday that his department has received an overwhelming response from citizens after the launch of the Chips Rider Squad. “We’re hoping to make a difference. Soon after the launch of the new initiative, citizens around the city extended their warm welcome and promised all-out cooperation to the police department,” he said.

The city police administration has devised a strategy to address the pressing issue of traffic jams at busy arteries in the provincial capital.

“With our Emergency Chips Rider Squad on the roads, citizens will be able to contact officials in case of an emergency or an accident. Citizens can also contact the wardens if there’s a traffic jam,” says Chief Traffic Police Officer Saud Khan.

“In case of a traffic jam, an emergency response call will be conveyed to the Emergency Chips Riders Squad from its Control Room to reach the affected station within the shortest possible time,” he says, adding that the squad has been launched to provide relief to commuters, pedestrians as well as ambulances carrying patients.

“We established the Chips Riders Squad to ensure efficient flow of traffic in the city,” he says. “Instead of being stationed at one place, our wardens will now move around the city,” he adds.

Saud Khan says that in addition to the squad, 36 patrol cars have been tasked with managing the traffic flow. “We’re trying our best to provide a safe environment to the citizens,” he says.

The writer is a Peshawar-based journalist. He mostly writes on art, culture, education, youth and minorities. He tweets @Shinwar-9