LAHORE: The Punjab government has launched a Model Cart initiative and has plans to station some 1,000 new carts at 19 designated locations in Lahore to organise street vending and address traffic congestion issues.

Under the initiative launched on Sunday, carts will be offered to the deserving vendors free of cost.

The government also plans to expand the project across the province.

Lahore deputy commissioner (DC) has been tasked with ensuring a fair and transparent distribution process, prioritising the deserving individuals.

The scheme, being supervised by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, has been prepared and launched in a month`s time for the uplift of street vendors as well as to address urban challenges like traffic congestion and unauthorised vending.

In the second phase, the Punjab government has plans to get some 12,000 model carts manufactured and distributed across 40 districts in the province.

A summary in this regard is being initiated for the chief minister`s nod.

Malik Afzal Khokhar, who has been appointed as chairman of the Provincial Steering Committee for Model Carts, says this initiative will help align the needs of street vendors with urban planning.

It will also offer a structured platform for the small businesses, while alleviating the challenges posed by informal vending practices, he adds.