Traffic paralysis grips Rawalpindi following major road closures

Commuters in Rawalpindi faced a severe traffic paralysis on Sunday morning following the complete closure of several major arterial roads and significant restrictions on dozens of others, according to an official road situation report released. The critical Faizabad Murree Road was completely closed with the Pindi-bound carriageway and the Islamabad-bound carriageway declared closed. The disruption is considerable, with over thirty key routes reduced to a single lane of inbound and outbound traffic. The affected areas include the route from Survey of Pakistan to IJP, Shamasabad Metro Station to Dhoke Kala Khan Turn, Double Road Turn and Naka Kattarian to Pindora Chungi. Other chowks such as 6th Road Chowk, Chandni Chowk and Committee Chowk are also experiencing severe bottlenecks, as is the Khana Pull on Kurri Road towards Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Further adding to the traffic jam, ASF Gate, Naaz Cinema near Waris Khan, Liaquat Bagh area turn, Jung Building U-turn and Dav College Chowk are all restricted to single line traffic. The situation is similar at Suzuki Stand and Haider Road in Saddar, Mareer Chowk and Naka in Gulzar e Quaide towards the two cities. Raheemabad flyover, Khawaja Corporation and Kalma Chowk are also very congested. The report said single-line traffic is expanding at major interchange points including Fateh Jang Tool Plaza, Thalian Interchange, Brahma Interchange and Margla Turn at Pirwadhai Bus Stop. Routes like Naka Khayaban near Shah Najaf and Carriage Factory, Naka Mehrabad, Naka Chak Madad on Marble Factory Road and 26 No. Chungi are also affected. Disturbances are also reported on the outskirts, including Koral Chowk, Chakbell Mor in Rawat, Mandra Toll Plaza, Mandra Chakwal Mor and Daultala Mor on Mandra Chakwal Road. Missa Kaswal area to Bai Khan Bridge on GT Road, Gujjar Khan, Margala picket area to Taxila on both sides and Mangal bypass to Kallar Svedan complete the list of routes under severe traffic restrictions. On the other hand, Chowks are confirmed to be fully open, namely MH Chowk, Kachehri Chowk, Sawan Bridge, Biscuit Factory Chowk, Chakri Interchange and T-Chowk Rawat. The M-1 highway to Peshawar and the M-2 highway to Lahore are operating normally.