By Ali Imran Abbasi
ISLAMABAD:More than 35,000 vehicles in the federal capital have been fitted with M-Tags as part of an accelerated initiative to modernise traffic management and integrate Islamabad into a fully digital smart-city framework, officials said on Thursday.The figure was shared during a meeting held at the CDA Headquarters, chaired by Chief Commissioner Islamabad and Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA) Muhammad Ali Randhawa on Thursday.The session reviewed progress on a modern traffic management system, digital parking solutions and the broader smart-city transformation plan.Officials briefed the meeting that the M-Tag installation drive—launched under the direction of Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi—is “progressing rapidly,” with over 35,000 vehicles already tagged in the Federal Capital.To facilitate the public, 10 installation points have been set up at various locations across the city, and the number of counters is being expanded to further ease citizen access.The meeting was also informed that the M-Tag system will be integrated with the Islamabad Safe City Project to enhance monitoring and enforcement.Chairman CDA Muhammad Ali Randhawa said that modern technology and artificial intelligence would be employed to address long-standing traffic congestion and parking challenges in the capital.He added that digital parking services will soon be made available to citizens through a dedicated mobile application.IG Islamabad Police Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi stated that multiple initiatives were under way to evolve Islamabad from a safe city into a smart city, noting that work on the e-challan system is also being expedited under the Safe City Project.Chairman Randhawa said the cumulative impact of the new measures would transform Islamabad into a state-of-the-art digital and smart city, adding that improved traffic flows and organised parking would save time and fuel for residents.He said the objective of the reforms is to ensure the provision of a modern, technology-driven traffic system and the best possible parking facilities for citizens.The meeting was attended by CDA Board Member Administration Talat Mehmood, Member Planning & Design Dr Khalid Hafiz, Member Finance Tahir Naeem, senior Islamabad Police officials, the Chief Officer of MCI, and senior officers of the CDA and Excise and Taxation Department.
