The incumbent government is focused on proving its mettle with steps not only revolutionizing the existing system of communication, but also initiating projects to support the increased movement of freight and passengers across the country. Federal Minister for Communications Mr. Murad Saeed is materializing the vision of Imran Khan by properly planned policy making and expeditious execution of projects that will provide long term solutions to existing problems. "Proper assessment of the problem before working for its solution is the integral part of policy making. NTRC is providing the requisite research base for the future steps mandatory to reform the system" observed the federal minister, appreciating the work of NTRC. The National Transport Research Centre has launched the 2nd round of Origin, Destination Survey (OD Survey). This round of the O-D Survey will continue till May 2019 whereas the 1st Round has been completed (December 2018 – January 2019). The O-D Survey comprises of roadside interviews of Passenger and Freight transport. This is a basic survey for the transportation planning of any country; it provides a detailed picture of trip patterns and travel choices of the people. Last time the survey was conducted through JICA assistance by NTRC on 100 locations of National Highways & Motorways and Provincial network. This time NTRC is doing the same survey with its own resources with much bigger coverage (200 locations) and in two rounds to cater the seasonal variations of the traffic patterns. NTRC has hired the services of M/s Nespak and M/s Zeruk International for the field surveys. The survey covers all the erstwhile FATA Regions, Gilgit Baltistan, Azad Kashmir and all the border crossings in addition to all the four provinces. The survey will provide the much essential data required for the master planning of the Pakistan road network. This year, the center will complete Vehicle Operation Cost (VOC) and Geometric patterns of loading. VOC - a basic prerequisite for appraisal of road projects, whereas Geometric patterns of loading - would provide the basis for introducing a law for the loading patterns in the country for all types of good vehicles which is non-existent. Technical activities in the last six months have been geared up in NTRC under the guidance of Mr. Murad Saeed, Federal Minster for Communications and Mr. Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui the incumbent Secretary (Communications) who regularly monitors the performance of the Centre.
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